Abnormal Psychology and Law Enforcement

1. Abnormal Psychology and Law Enforcement HOSTED BY: Bexar County Constable Office PCT#4 Prepared by John W. Muirhead Bexar County Constable’s Office PCT#4

2. Presenter-Instructor John W. Muirhead SPECIALTY: PSYOP, Special Operations, Intelligence Psychological Profiling EDUCATION: - B.A. Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, 1990 - MeD Counseling Psychology, Guidance, Montana State University, Havre, MT 1994 - MS, Strategic Intelligence, Middle Eastern Studies Joint Military Intelligence College, Washington D.C., 2001 - USAF War College, Certificate in Strategic Planning EXPERIENCE: 21 years Military (Paratrooper, Intelligence Officer, Behavioral Scientist, Commander, Staff Officer, ICBM Launch Officer) - Certified Instructor (Military) - Magistrate at federal level - Internship at Montana State Prison - Corporate; Defense Consulting

3. Objectives • To develop a basic understanding of mental illness   • To understand the prominent categories of mental illness • To outline the dangers mental illnesses poses to law enforcement • To explain interaction of mental illness, terrorists, criminals • To understand basic techniques in dealing with mental illness NOTE: This is NOT a comprehensive discussion but DOES provide useful basic information

4. Why do you care what a Mental Illness/Insane Person is? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlk_sRU49TI BECAUSE YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT! • 22% of adult U.S. population suffer from mental disorder in a year • 3% of population considered mentally retarded • People with severe mental illnesses are four times likely than the general public to be killed by police (justifiable homicide)

5. Objective One: To develop a basic understanding of mental illness • Mental Illness: illness, disease, or condition substantially impacting or grossly impairing a person’s thought, perception of reality, emotional process, judgement, behavior, manifested by disturbance behavior. • Insanity: Is a legal term only; the diminished capacity to tell right from wrong. Used for a court to determine competency. • Abnormal vs. Normal Behavior: no sharp dividing line—instead a “normal distribution” with most people spread around center and the rest spreading towards extremes • EG: the APA voting out of existence various disorders based on the “new norm”

6. Objective Two Understand the prominent categories of mental illness • Personality Disorders: Paranoid, Antisocial, Borderline* • Mood Disorders: Depression/Bipolar Disorder (most commonly faced by LEOs) • Psychosis: Delusions, Hallucinations, Schizophrenia • Developmental Disorders: Autism, Mental Retardation * Borderline most commonly recognized in females with unstable and intense relationships, impulsiveness, suicidal threats, feelings of abandonment; tie-in to LEO personal relationships

7. Objective Three Outline the dangers mental illnesses pose to law enforcement • Mentally Ill traditionally NOT hardened criminals, but CAN be more dangerous • Mentally Ill viewed by public as ill, not criminal and any use of force by LEO will be scrutinized • FBI states mentally ill no more prone to violence than average public BUT instability, high emotions, paranoia, delusions, etc become VERY dangerous if not handled appropriately—psychotics, if cornered will respond with sudden violence

8. Objective Four Explain interaction of mental illness, terrorists, criminals While criminals are categorized separately from terrorists, the criminal profile similar/often the same as the terrorist profile: • Mostly males diagnosed antisocial at 18 (military aged males) with history of using weapons, abusing animals, people, other illegal behavior (think Zarqawi) • Both categories have trouble with authority, and are unwilling to conform to society’s expectations • People with personality disorders usually will not seek treatment because they don’t think they have a problem and because of this end up on the criminal justice system and chemical dependency issues • What factors indicate the line between criminal and terrorist? No clear answer but opportunity certainly a factor (Think Sarneyev brothers)

9. Objective Five/Practical Application Understand basic techniques in dealing with mental illness • Know the cues of psychosis: bizarre dress, repetitious body movements, hallucinations, injuring self, strange decorations in home, pictures turned over, childish attachment to items • LISTEN, ask very specific clarification questions, • Psychotics are ill, NOT stupid; be sincere and honest; patronization/condescending might result in violent outburst • Just like the 7 step violator contact method, rely on the “you” and not the “I” • Do NOT underestimate the power of delusions, hallucinations, voices…they are REAL to the psychotic and you denying their existence makes it worse • Remove danger from environment you wouldn’t ordinarily

10. Summary • Mental Illness differs from Insane • Personality Disorders, Mood Disorders, and Psychosis are mental illnesses with danger potential, especially for law enforcement • Terrorists, criminals, share common traits involving Mental Illness • Basic techniques in dealing with mental illness for LE involve observation and communication NOTE: This is NOT a comprehensive discussion but DOES provide useful basic information

11. Evaluation What percent of adult U.S. population suffer from mental disorder in a year? A) 22% B) 50% C) 10% ____ percent of the population is considered mentally retarded. What are the two most common disorders faced by LEOs? • Paranoia and schizophrenia • Depression and Bipolar • Chad’s disease At what rate are people with severe mental illnesses killed by police (justifiable homicide) as opposed to the general public? • 3X • 4X • 2X

12. Sources • DSM (Very Technical) • Staff/Agency Psychologist • Arrange Visit to State Hospital • TCOLE sponsored classes • Self-paced or college courses (be wary of internet!!)

13. QUESTIONS….

14. REMEMBER! With human behavior, not everything is as it may seem!! Is this normal or abnormal behavior?

15. Contact Information John W. Muirhead (210) 464-0046 johnwmuirhead@gmail.com