Police officers deal with mental illness-related incidents on a daily basis. Ian Cummins explores policy failures, and considers how the individuals in police officers' care should be supported by community mental health agencies.

Ian Cummins is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Salford University. He qualified as a probation officer and subsequently worked as a mental health social worker. His research interests including the history of community care and mental health issues in the CJS. His most recent work has focused on poverty, inequality and advanced marginality.