Attempted suicide consequences (LEO's only please)?

Question

While listening to the police scanner, I can't help wonder (as us P.I.'s do), what happens to the people who attempt suicide and are stopped by the police arriving? I hear on the scanner an ambulance called and they take the person to the hospital. Do they go to the psych ward after they are okayed by the ER? Do they have to stay there? Are charges filed against them? Do they check out ok and go home? Thanks for answering and satisfying my curiousity. Also, I live in IL and cannot figure out why people won't use their turn signals??KK#L%

LEO stands for Law Enforcement Officer

Answer 1

I work for a police department, though I am not a commissioned officer. People who try to commit suicide are treated as observation cases (as is anyone who is trying to harm themselves, others, or is committing a crime, but does not seem lucid), and they are taken to a hospital where they are committed for psychiatric evaluation. The hospital's policy is what determines how long they are held and by what criteria they are released. I am not sure if there is legislation that regulates those policies. Suicide (or an attempt) is not a crime, so that would be the extent of the police involvement. If the person had actually committed a crime, they would be arrested upon release from the facility.

Answer 2

By MA standards the P/T will be transported to the nearest medical facility. As far as on the police end, they (the P/T) will be entered into Leaps/NCIS and be entered as suicide risk. While being transported to the hospital a Police Officer will be on hand in the ambulance.

The LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) will ask questions regarding the emotional state of the offender. Once on arrival to the hospital the Officer will escort the P/T along with EMS to the room. Depending on the risk, that said officer shall stay in the room until the care provider determines their risk. For the most part the ER doctor will take over care. Then from there the P/T will be transport to a psych hospital.

Mike

Answer 3

If a person has attempted suicide they will more than likely be admitted to the psychiatric ward of the hospital. They will be evaluated by a psychiatrist on admission and they will also be checked out medically. No charges will be filed against them. If they are admitted they will be stabilized while in the hospital with the goal being release to home when they are deemed OK by the psychiatric team. Sorry, i don't know about the other question!

Answer 4

Still trying to decide how suicide and turn signals go hand in hand but When people attempt suicide and are medically cleared, they go into 72 hour hold (most of the time). that's week day non holiday.. If a person goes in on Sat..they have to stay till Wed. minimum.. I know of very few cops that will file charges for a reason like that.. If medical personnel really believe the person is suicidal, they can NOT just send them home. BTW, people in MO, TN and AR don't use turn signals either..

Answer 5

As a former LEO, I can say that what happens is that an attempted suicide, usually goes to the ER, and after being medically cleared then is taken to a psychiatric counselor, or unit. They can be committed to a hospital for a time. Some of them straighten out, others attempt it again and again. For some it is a cry for help, others are seeking attention. The sad part is the ones looking for help or attention, that accidentally become successful suicides.

Answer 6

A psychiatrist or someone in the mental health line of work has to talk to the one that wants to die. If they are still a threat to them self they can be admitted to the hospital. Sometimes they just have to stay overnight. By law you cannot be held for more than 3 days at the hospital against your will. My daughter tried to take her life. The ER gave her some kind of charcoal to drink so it could absorb the pills she had taken. The ER kept doing blood test until she was no longer toxic. After someone from the mental health field talked to her and saw that she wasn't going to hurt herself again, they let her come home with us. I told the dr that I promised to be her shadow for a few days. She slept in my bed with me that night. She was already under the care of a psychiatrist--the antidepressant had not had time to take effect. Someone else I know there daughter did have to go to the police station and she now has a record that will follow her the rest of her life. If you are considering this way out from problems talk to any dr. They can give you meds--it may take a little while before the meds work like you want them to. But hang in there. I wonder if someone that commits suicide--will they go to heaven or hell. If they go to hell---the torment only gets worse. Suicide is considerd murder.

Answer 7

They'll put the patient on a psych hold (with restraints and security escorts) until a mental health professional can review their case and decide on the course of treatment (usually an inpatient stay at the hospital or transfer to an inpatient treatment facility). It's not a choice for the patient. They are basically in the legal custody of the hospital until they are released.

Answer 8

Wow guy.. kudos for breaking a huge taboo. i have had 4 severe tries, one in all which the position I virtually died. i have taken large overdoses, yet i'm no longer certain if there is been any lasting damage. The effect on my concepts has been one in throughout-driving guilt and remorseful about. The subject matters have likely affected me the most- i have been placed on a chain of heavy responsibility drugs, which have delivered about different health issues, jointly with substantial weight-benefit, onset of diabetes, heavy sedation, unfavorable concentration, and memory loss. i'm truly strong now, yet I only sense that i will under no circumstances be truly an same back.

Answer 9

it used to be that attempted suicide carried a 5 year sentence, but the point of sending people to jail is to discourage other from doing it and if the guy thinks he'll be dead anyways it isn't going to make a difference how long the sentence is. so in the 70's i believe (could be the 60's) they modified the law so that if it was found necessary, a suicidal person could be locked up in a psych ward until things got back to normal.


p.s. i'm not a cop and i'm not a shrink or any other professional.

Answer 10

Well i don't know about adults, but when I tried to commit suicide a little over a year ago, they sent me to a hospital that councils the emotional kids, and keeps a close eye on them so they can't do anything else. These hospitals also deal with drug addicts, alchoholics, and rebellious kids, from the ages 17- 13.