Exploring the influence of three scaffolded simulation-based learning approaches in preparing police recruits for policing mental health incidents

Abstract Internationally, mental health-related crises represent a substantial proportion of emergency calls to police departments, police are the default first responders in most mental health crisis intervention models worldwide, resulting in a heavy burden on police, perceived criminalization of individuals with complex mental health needs, and escalation of aggression that resort to violence. The education and training program for New South Wales Police Force recruits has continuously evolved over the past two decades, with the aim to equip attesting officers with the knowledge and skills to manage policing persons with a mental health illness. Currently, the program delivers a combination of three scaffolded formats of simulation-based learning activities/scenarios for developing an understanding of the influence of police actions and the subsequent outcomes in policing mental health incidents. This article presents the findings of a study designed to understand the respective influence of the three formats of simulation-based learning on the development of confidence and competence for policing mental health incidents.