By Samantha Jones-
City of London Police is the first force in the country to screen detainees in custody for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The aim of the pilot is to help identify those with ADHD entering the criminal justice system at an early stage, allowing for a quick referral for diagnosis and get them the support they need.
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This will give a better understanding of the crimes committed by those with ADHD and help prevent reoffending, the force said.
The checklist has been devised by qualified counsellor and therapist Sarah Templeton, chief executive officer of the charity ADHD Liberty, who has already worked in four English prisons.
She says the checklist helps ensure that there is a pathway to diagnosis with urgent cases being fast-tracked to an NHS provider of adult ADHD assessments.
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Dame Sally Coates’ HMIP report in 2021 suggested that it would be “reasonable to assume that at least 50 per cent of prisoners have some form of neurodivergence”. SMs Templeton believes the figure is considerably higher.
In recent years, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become a more widely recognized and diagnosed condition. ADHD is a neurological condition that affects attention and impulse control, making it difficult for people with ADHD to focus, stay organized, and complete tasks.
Typically diagnosed in childhood, many people with the condition continue to struggle with it throughout their lives.
Now, the City police are taking steps to address ADHD in their officers. The City police department has become the first police department to screen its officers for ADHD. This move is groundbreaking, as many people with ADHD may not even realize they have the condition, and those who do may not seek treatment.
Screening for ADHD in police officers is a significant step toward understanding and responding appropriately to the condition among detaineess.It can help police act proportionately when dealing with suspects with ADHD, but officers will generally use their discretion as to how much force to apply when dealing with them, nd how to assess their needs.
It is important to note that people with ADHD can be successful police officers, and ADHD is not a disqualifying condition for police work. However, officers with undiagnosed or untreated ADHD may struggle with the demands of the job, leading to reduced performance, increased stress, and potential safety risks for themselves and others.
Proactive
By screening for ADHD, the City police department is taking a proactive approach to identifying officers who may need additional support or treatment. This can help ensure that officers with ADHD receive the appropriate accommodations and resources to succeed in their work. It can also help reduce the stigma around ADHD and encourage officers to seek help if they are struggling with symptoms.
The screening process itself is relatively straightforward. Officers are given a questionnaire that asks about symptoms of ADHD, such as difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, and restlessness. If an officer scores high on the questionnaire, they may be referred for further evaluation by a mental health professional. This evaluation may include an interview, behavioral observations, and possibly diagnostic testing.
It is important to note that screening for ADHD is not a perfect process. The questionnaire is not a diagnostic tool, and it is possible for someone without ADHD to score high on the questionnaire. Similarly, someone with ADHD may not score high on the questionnaire if they have learned coping mechanisms or have other factors that mask their symptoms. However, screening is still a useful tool for identifying officers who may benefit from further evaluation or treatment.
One of the challenges of screening for ADHD in police officers is the potential for stigma. ADHD is still a relatively misunderstood condition, and some people may view it as a weakness or a character flaw. This can be especially true in law enforcement, where officers are expected to be strong, focused, and in control at all times. The City police department has taken steps to address this stigma by emphasizing that ADHD is a neurological condition and not a character flaw. They have also made it clear that officers with ADHD can be successful in their work with the right support and accommodations.
Another challenge is ensuring that officers with ADHD receive appropriate accommodations and resources. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, including ADHD. However, some officers may be reluctant to disclose their ADHD or may not be aware of their rights under the ADA. It is important for the City police department to educate officers about their rights and ensure that accommodations are provided as needed.
Overall, the City police department’s decision to screen for ADHD is a positive step toward understanding and addressing the condition in law enforcement. By identifying officers who may need additional support or treatment, the department can help ensure that officers with ADHD are successful in their work and reduce the potential for safety risks. It is also a r
City of London Police Detective Chief Inspector Anna Rice said: “Being the first police force to adopt ADHD screening shows we are leading the way in supporting vulnerable suspects who enter the criminal justice system in our custody.
“The pilot will identify undiagnosed ADHD among detainees, supporting them and ensuring they are processed fairly.
“This comes soon after we were the first in the country to have successfully used a new mental health and neurodevelopmental checklist when dealing with suspects.
“People’s mental health is very important to us and we’ll continue champion initiatives that secures the most appropriate outcome for those suspects with neurodiversity whilst obtaining positive outcomes for the victims.”
City of London Police says the new pilot dovetails with the mental health checklist already incorporated in processing suspects through the criminal justice system.
The mental health checklist, developed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, aims to improve the depth and quality of information provided to CPS prosecutors before they make charging and case management decisions. It also helps to ensure that suspects and defendants with mental health conditions or disorders are accurately identified.
Ms Templeton said: “We’ve been working for seven years to raise awareness about the number of prisoners with ADHD and we’re beyond grateful to the City of London Police for being the first force to be involved in the pilot.
“It will prove how many people being held in police stations have undiagnosed ADHD. A mental health nurse I have spoken to, who has worked in prisons for 20 years, puts the rate of ADHD at 85 per cent. It shows how serious the problem is.
“Our goal is to screen current prisoners and those in police custody and medicate those with ADHD. We want all forces to follow the City of London’s stance as it will greatly improve our understanding of the issues and help prevent reoffending.”
Working alongside Ms Templeton has been Detective Constable Daley Jones from the Metropolitan Police Service, who is also a trustee of ADHD Liberty. He has been involved in the project from the start and set up The ADHD Alliance to help spread the message to other forces..
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