CMHA has a high level of respect for police services across Alberta, as they are often to the first to attend when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.
Each year a small number of Albertan's are impacted by their mental illness information appearing on their police record checks. Police who attend a situation involving mental illness may enter the details of the intervention in their notes. Regardless of whether charges are laid or a conviction occurs those notes may be used to disclose information on a police record check.
The impact of this kind of disclosure can be devastating. The reporting of a history of mental health interventions can impact a persons ability to access employment, volunteer in their community, access housing and in some cases their ability to travel to the United States.
In 2013 CMHA presented an award to the Calgary Police Service (CPS) for their innovative approach to police record checks. Calgary City Police determined they would only disclose mental health interactions with the police where violence was involved.
CMHA in Edmonton is regularly invited to provide education and training for the new recruit classes of the Edmonton Police Service. This is a proactive approach to building awareness between the police and individuals impacted by mental illness.
There is definitely room for improvement. CMHA would like to see a more consistent approach to the disclosure of mental health information on police record checks in Alberta, based on the CPS practice.. Ontario and British Columbia have both made significant progress on this issue in the last number of years. Additionally there is no consistency and in some cases no pathway for individuals to appeal the information being disclosed on police record checks.
CMHA is concerned with the ongoing stigma that suggests individuals with mental illness are dangerous. The vast majority of individuals impacted by mental illness are non-violent and non-criminal. Those individuals are far more likely to be your neighbor, your co-worker or your relative. What is important is that organizations like CMHA are there when people need help, offer education and anti-stigma training and advocate for change.
Each year a small number of Albertan's are impacted by their mental illness information appearing on their police record checks. Police who attend a situation involving mental illness may enter the details of the intervention in their notes. Regardless of whether charges are laid or a conviction occurs those notes may be used to disclose information on a police record check.
The impact of this kind of disclosure can be devastating. The reporting of a history of mental health interventions can impact a persons ability to access employment, volunteer in their community, access housing and in some cases their ability to travel to the United States.
In 2013 CMHA presented an award to the Calgary Police Service (CPS) for their innovative approach to police record checks. Calgary City Police determined they would only disclose mental health interactions with the police where violence was involved.
CMHA in Edmonton is regularly invited to provide education and training for the new recruit classes of the Edmonton Police Service. This is a proactive approach to building awareness between the police and individuals impacted by mental illness.
There is definitely room for improvement. CMHA would like to see a more consistent approach to the disclosure of mental health information on police record checks in Alberta, based on the CPS practice.. Ontario and British Columbia have both made significant progress on this issue in the last number of years. Additionally there is no consistency and in some cases no pathway for individuals to appeal the information being disclosed on police record checks.
CMHA is concerned with the ongoing stigma that suggests individuals with mental illness are dangerous. The vast majority of individuals impacted by mental illness are non-violent and non-criminal. Those individuals are far more likely to be your neighbor, your co-worker or your relative. What is important is that organizations like CMHA are there when people need help, offer education and anti-stigma training and advocate for change.