First reported 9 Dec 2013•Latest report 2 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes police training failures specifically affecting recognition or response to mental ill-health, acute behavioural disturbance, epilepsy or other medical crises presenting through behaviour.
Not included
Excludes generic police training deficiencies not explicitly tied to mental health recognition or response.
Excludes failures in clinical mental health assessment or treatment where police training is not the identified concern.
Excludes failures of police incident attendance, communication or information recording unless they are explicitly identified as manifestations of inadequate police mental health training.
Reports
30
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
41
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
83
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
College of Policing14
National Police Chiefs’ Council9
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives5
Department of Health and Social Care5
Metropolitan Police Service5
Sussex Police4
Home Office3
Dorset Police2
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust2
NHS England2
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust2
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust2
Surrey Police2
Association Of British Neurologists1
Avon and Somerset Constabulary1
Police force24
National policing body17
NHS trust12
Ministerial department6
Health-sector membership body5
Executive non-departmental public body2
Registered charity2
English county council1
English metropolitan district council1
English unitary authority1
Health and social care service regulator1
Health professional body1
Health professional committee1
Integrated care board1
Non-ministerial department1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Dorset
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ABD training for Police and Ambulance Service front-line and control-room staff
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.7
Action
Provide additional continuous professional development training on acute behavioural disturbance.
Stated by St John AmbulanceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 November 2019.
Action
Add ABD recognition and management to Module 2 of the First Aid Learning Programme for frontline refresher training.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 November 2019.
Action
Review Module 4 of the National Personal Safety Manual and implement an agreed interim ABD information update.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 November 2019.
Action
Share the ABD presentation with NHS trusts and ambulance partners for appropriate use and adaptation.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 November 2019.
Action
Refresh the National Contact Management Learning Programme to include recognition of ABD as a medical emergency for call handlers and dispatchers.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 November 2019.
Action
Develop a standardised ABD presentation and training template for police and ambulance control-room staff.
Stated by College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 November 2019.
Action
Ensure frontline ambulance and control-room staff are made aware of the new acute behavioural disturbance guidance after publication.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 22 November 2019.
West Sussex
Concerns raised1
Insufficient training on atypical seizure and post-seizure behaviour
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Include an epilepsy video in initial officer training and refresh it during refresher training every three years.
Stated by Sussex PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Changes to nationally agreed police training packages require approval through national policing bodies rather than unilateral force action.
Stated by Sussex PoliceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Basic first-aid training provides officers with knowledge and skills suitable for their policing role.
Stated by Sussex PoliceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Officers cannot reasonably be expected to possess medical professionals’ knowledge because attempting untrained interventions could pose excessive risks.
Stated by Sussex PoliceUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Surrey
Concerns raised3
Police training that mischaracterises ED/ABD as controversial
Confusing clinical-staff ED/ABD training content
Police training that conflates ED/ABD with positional asphyxia
This report raised 14 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Inadequate understanding of section 136 Mental Health Act and mental health issues among special police officers
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Continue mental-health training and partnership working through annual officer safety training.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 February 2019.
Action
Launch and operate a mental-health and wellbeing campaign providing training, awareness and support to officers.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 February 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Section 136 would not have assisted because it does not apply to people inside private dwellings.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Wiltshire and Swindon
Concerns raised1
Insufficient national police training on mental-disorder implications of acute alcohol intoxication
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Ineffective training for police officers to accurately identify mental health issues
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.9
Action
Deliver enhanced Vulnerable Person training, including a mental-health scenario and health-board advice, on Taser courses.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
Action
Deliver Acute Behavioural Disorder training within mandatory personal-safety training for all officers.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
Action
Embed early-intervention vulnerability training, including signposting to external support, within the vulnerability course.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
Action
Deliver mental-health training webinars covering mental-health conditions, places of safety, support, suicide, self-harm and learning disabilities.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
Action
Develop a mental-health training package using learning from other forces and national working groups.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
Action
Seek mental-health team input to identify improvements to training delivery.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
Action
Adapt the College of Policing vulnerable-person Taser package for personal-safety training and deliver it to all officers with auditable attendance.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
Action
Convert the mental-health webinar package into an auditable classroom package and deliver it to officers.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
Action
Continue liaison with other forces and the local health board to improve mental-health training and share best practice.
Stated by North Wales PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 February 2018.
South London
Concerns raised2
Inadequate definition of prolonged restraint and restraint danger in ABD training
Failure of ABD training to provide clear and understood recognition guidance
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Embed recognition and emergency treatment of suspected ABD in mandatory, assessed restraint training.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Action
Produce safer-restraint training material jointly with South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Action
Maintain an ongoing partnership with independent healthcare experts to inform restraint and officer-safety training.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
A specified restraint time limit will not be introduced because it lacks clinical basis and presents practical timekeeping difficulties.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Existing ABD terminology and embedded training are considered sufficient; changing the approach has unclear benefits and could undo established work.
Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Berkshire
Concerns raised1
Lack of training on containment as a tactical option for subjects with suspected excited delirium
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Complete a national quality assurance programme for Personal Safety Training to enhance policing responses and compliance with the National Personal Safety Manual.
Stated by College of PolicingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 March 2016.
Action
Produce a national training video reinforcing the medical implications of restraint and good practice, including containment.
Stated by College of PolicingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 March 2016.
Action
Add the national training video to the 2016/17 national Personal Safety Training Programme.
Stated by College of PolicingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 March 2016.
Action
Add an explicit reference to containment in the Acute Behavioural Disorder and Positional Asphyxia chapter of the National Personal Safety Manual.
Stated by College of PolicingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 March 2016.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Containment is already central to the National Personal Safety Manual, training and guidance, although it will be stated explicitly.
Stated by College of PolicingExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Lack of national training and understanding of how best to treat acute behavioural disturbance
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Examine the role, legal basis, responsibility and safe practice for police involvement in mental health restraint through an expert reference group.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 March 2015.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
National police forces had already received guidance and training addressing acute behavioural disorder risks, with overall compliance considered to meet the standard.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Liverpool
Concerns raised1
Lack of consistent police training on awareness of excited delirium
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Pin
Get email alerts
Request correction
Includes police training failures specifically affecting recognition or response to mental ill-health, acute behavioural disturbance, epilepsy or other medical crises presenting through behaviour.
