Policing Mental Health, Vulnerability and Risk

Part of the Professional Policing Curriculum in Practice series, this text covers the important contemporary topic of policing those who may have poor mental health are classed as vulnerable or at risk, which runs throughout the policing curriculum.

It examines how policing has evolved when dealing with vulnerable people and covers situations such as county lines, modern slavery and online bullying and harassment. It emphasises the importance of the overall police response as part of a multi-agency approach and promotes the need for individual professional curiosity from police officers. Case studies add to the rich knowledge base provided, and critical questions and examples of evidence-based practice are included to embed understanding and help cement theory. Students will develop their critical thinking abilities and gain the confidence to recognise and deal with the complex issues associated with this topic.

Chapter 1: The complexities of policing vulnerable persons in society 

Chapter 2: Key drivers – police responses to vulnerability and risk 

Chapter 3: Increased vulnerability – Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors 

Chapter 4: An analysis of theories and concepts of victimology  

Chapter 5:  Vulnerability issues – child sexual exploitation, online abuse, modern slavery, county lines and child exploitation 

Chapter 6: The responses of the police and other agencies to vulnerability 

Chapter 7: The position of the vulnerable person

Chapter 8: Measuring progress – what next for policing vulnerability issues? 

Brian Williams is the learning skills lead and a lecturer on the Professional Policing Degree at Lincoln College. He spent 30 years working in two different forces, gaining considerable experience in a wide variety of policing roles. Always interested in education and training, he has fulfilled various trainer positions working with student police officers. 

Tony Blockley has served within policing for over 30 years, gaining extensive knowledge and understanding of policing organisation and practice. On retirement he had attained the rank of Chief Superintendent with the position of Head of Crime, responsible for leading 500+ multi-disciplinary staff within a complex and critical department servicing public protection, major and serious crime, serious and organised crime, terrorism, financial crime, fraud and forensic services.

As the lead for policing at Leeds Trinity University he is responsible for co-ordinating policing higher education, including developing programmes and enhancing current provision in line with the Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) while also supporting the College of Policing in the development of programmes.

He combines an extensive policing career with an understanding of the national curriculum, the requirements of the academic standards and the entry routes to policing, giving him a unique perspective and the necessary credibility to support his role as Editor of Critical Publishing's new policing series.