Devon and Cornwall police inspector on fact-finding mission to America

An inspector from Devon and Cornwall Police is heading to America for a research trip after securing funding from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

Inspector Mark Bolt will be travelling to Chicago and Baltimore in October and November 2013 for a period of 6 weeks, where he will study well-developed criminal justice systems that include provision for those with mental illness.

Mark will spend time with police departments, prosecution agencies, courts, mental health workers, prison and services users.

He will also see how American Police operate their street triage scheme which is coming to Devon and Cornwall in the coming months.

Street triage has clinical mental health professionals work alongside Police when  responding to calls involving people with mental health problems.

The clinical staff are then on hand to help officers decide on the best option for individuals in crisis.

Mark said: “This trip will be an amazing and invaluable experience which will help us understand how best to deal with people in the criminal justice system who have mental health issues.”

The Winston Churchill foundation awards Travelling Fellowships to British citizens from all walks of life to travel overseas, to bring back knowledge and best practice for the benefit of others in their UK professions and communities.

Mark was granted the fellowship to help him bring new knowledge to his responsibility in mental health and criminal justice in Cornwall.

You can follow Mark on his travels on Twitter @markbolt3905 or markbolt3905.blogspot.co.uk.