Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Advisor
Grace Telesco
Committee Member
Marcelo Castro
Committee Member
Maria Levi-Minzi
Keywords
Baker Act, Crisis Intervention, Davie Police Department, Involuntary Institutionalization
Abstract
This study focused on the Police Department of the City of Davie, Florida. It analyzed the rate of involuntary admissions under the Florida Mental Health Act, commonly known as the Baker Act, focusing on factors such as officer experience, training, demographics, and other variables. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, the research provides insights into Baker Act admissions to inform policies and interventions to improve mental health services and relieve strain on law enforcement resources.
Key findings indicate that Crisis Intervention Team training significantly increases the likelihood of officers performing Baker Acts. In contrast, more experienced officers tend to perform fewer Baker Acts, suggesting better de-escalation skills and alternative intervention strategies come with experience. The study also highlights significant racial disparities, with Black / African American individuals disproportionately represented in Baker Act admissions, raising potential bias concerns.
Geographic analysis of the calls for service shows higher incidences of Baker Act calls in certain residential zones, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health interventions restructuring resource allocation. The research identified a strong correlation between narcotics-related calls and Baker Acts, supporting the need for strategies that focus on narcotics issues, which could reduce mental health crises and involuntary institutionalizations.
This research provides a further understanding for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders. It promotes the development of strategies that prioritize the well-being of individuals with mental illness while easing the burden on law enforcement and advocating for improved data collection, training, and resource allocation to enhance mental health crisis interventions within the City of Davie.
NSUWorks Citation
Matthew Goodnow. 2024. Examining the Intersection of Policing and Mental Health: Analyzing Baker Act Admissions in Davie, Florida. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (712)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/712.
Included in
Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Higher Education Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
