Supervisory team
Director of Studies:
Dr Paul Snelling Three County School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Worcester. Lead, Philosophy and Ethics of Professional Practice Research Group.
Supervisors:
Professor Lisa Jones Professor of Psychological Medicine, Lead of Mood Disorders Research Group, University of Worcester
Dr Rosie Erol Research Fellow, Lead Violence and Trauma Prevention Research Group University of Worcester
Dr Richard Lewis, Chief Constable, Dyfed-Powys Police.
The Project
Ethical aspects of police response to people experiencing mental illness.
Context
There is a good deal of research into police use of powers of detention under mental health legislation, but the interaction between police and those experiencing mental illness whose behaviour does not require detention has not been studied. As the police force continues to professionalise, ethical and accountable decision making by practitioners is required, based on a Code of Ethics. The Code requires that police staff ‘must treat all people fairly and with respect’ (College of Policing 2014, p.6), and an example given of meeting this standard is when police staff ‘show compassion and empathy, as appropriate, to people you come into contact with.’
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the studentship is to conduct research into the way in which ethical considerations influence decision making of police officers where they interact with members of the public who are exhibiting behaviour attributable to mental illness but falling short of the threshold needed for detainment under section 136 of the Mental Health Act. The study will examine ethical aspects of these encounters from the perspectives of both police officers and members of the public who are experiencing mental illness. The proposed research questions are:
- How do police officers consider ethical issues in their interactions with members of the public who are manifesting behaviours associated with mental illness but who do not require detention to a Place of Safety under s136 of the Mental Health Act?
- How do members of the public who have manifested behaviours associated with mental illness that have brought them into contact with police officers, perceive the ethical character and conduct of police officers?
Indicative methodology
Following a literature review the detailed methods will be decided by the successful applicant. However, to maximise impact it is proposed that the research will likely utilise a mixed method approach which will examine the ethical aspects of policing people experiencing mental illness from the perspectives of police practitioners and those who are the subject of their decision making.
Access to extensive databases through the National Police Ethics Committee and the UK-wide Bipolar Disorder Research Network (http://bdrn.org/) based at the University of Worcester will allow large sample online questionnaires to gather data about incidences and nature of police interactions from both the perspective of police officers and people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Following these surveys, a small sample of both groups of people will be interviewed so that detailed exploration of the ethical considerations can be achieved. Precise details of both the survey and the qualitative method will be guided by the literature review and responses from the large scale surveys.
Details of the studentship
The studentship is offered for a 4-year period on a full-time basis. The studentship is campus based, but some activity can be online, and we welcome applications from those living away from Worcester. During the period of your studentship, you will receive the following:
- a laptop and other IT equipment and software as appropriate to the project
- use of the Research School facilities
You will be expected to play an active role in the life of both the Research School and of your academic School and research groups. You will be given opportunities to gain experience in learning and teaching within the School under the guidance of your Director of Studies.
Application Process
To begin the application process for this studentship please go to http://www.worcester.ac.uk/researchstudentships and click ‘apply now’ next to the project you wish to apply for.
It is expected that applicants will have the following qualifications:
- A First or Upper Second Honours Degree in a relevant subject
It is also expected that applicants will be able to demonstrate the following:
- A sound understanding of and interest in both the project and the wider subject area
- Experience of relevant research methods and skills
- Ability to contribute to the research design of the project
- Proficiency in oral and written English
- Proficiency in IT relevant to the project
- Ability to organise and meet deadlines
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work as part of a team
- The ability to travel to Worcester for meetings.