Behavioral Emergencies and New Data on Sudden Death in Custody

Presentation one:
Behavioral emergencies include a wide spectrum of disorders including severe agitation and suicidal ideation. Law enforcement actions in dealing with individuals with severe mental illness have gained national attention because of the associated risks and outcome for the LEO, EMS, and individual displaying abnormal behavior. Criminal prosecutions and convictions of LEO and EMS personnel have recently occurred due to actions of law enforcement and EMS. Implementation of proper policies and procedures is critical for officer safety and to address the inherent risks of managing these situations. This topic has become a particularly important focus for all law enforcement executives.

Presentation two:
Respiratory failure is a common presentation of individuals at high risk for Sudden Death in Custody. New data explains some observations in the past that were poorly understood. Persons who have been struggling with police have an increased metabolic demand. Multiple comorbidities may place these subjects in grave danger. Severe agitation is one of the presentations that may be masking a severe underlying medical condition. Teamwork with officers , emergency medical services and mental health workers must be prepared to aggressively treat these individuals that are at risk for Sudden Death in Custody.