Psychiatric News (10/31) reported a study found “patients with mental illness who received a model of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) that integrates local police into ACT teams (ACT-PI) had significantly fewer overall police encounters than before their entry into treatment.” The overall “rates of monthly police interactions decreased significantly for individuals after admission to the ACT-PI program, from an average of one occurrence every two months to one occurrence every three months.” In addition, “clients with a history of violence showed a decrease in violent occurrences and an increase in mental health–focused interactions with police.” According to researchers, this finding “suggests that ACT-PI program admission might reduce the risk of violent behaviors that can put staff and the public in danger while facilitating police interactions that focus on mental health.” The study was published in Psychiatric Services.
Related Links:
— “Assertive Community Treatment With Police Involvement Leads to Fewer Overall Police Encounters, Psychiatric News , October 31, 2025