excited delirium (ED) or acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) (20A/22)

18 January 2022 | Operational Policing, Investigations and Events

Request

Response

Please find enclosed our response.

 

1. The training of your force regarding excited delirium (ED) or acute behavioural disturbance (ABD)

The training deals with the following areas –

Identifying the signs and symptoms of ABD.

Respond appropriately to suspected ABD.

Recognise the risks of restraint.

Learn about the cause(s) of death in ABD.

Identify information to provide ambulance control to allow appropriate response.

Initial recognition of ABD – The signs and symptoms, the additional impact factors that could cause ABD (i.e. cocaine / drug use, alcohol and existing mental health problems or medications)

Dealing with the person suffering the disturbance where it recommended that Ambulance and medical assistance be called ASAP and that although restraint of person may be needed (to protect themselves / members of public or other officers etc) it is recommended that that the area is contained rather than restraint used. Monitoring people whilst they are in the care of an officer. Safe and appropriate transport of person.

2. When officers have dealt with ED/ABD, is it recorded anywhere?

This would be recorded within an officers Pocket Notebook / Statement etc. There is no central point to record this specifically as ABD as there are lots of events that could happen within Policing.

3. Is it required to use a Taser with someone who is exhibiting ED/ABD symptoms, and if so, what are the recorded numbers of such a use?

This would depend on the officer’s assessment at the scene as to the threat level of the person to a member of public or other officers. Taser activation / use is recorded as a use of force. However, it does not record whether ED/ABD are an issue as at the time of taser activation.

4. When was training first introduced regarding ED/ABD, and when were the latest updates on said training?

The training for ED/ABD has been within West Midlands Police for 10 years plus at least. The latest update was last year.

5. Who are the expert police trainers on ED/ABD in your force?

 

There are no expert trainers per se as there are so many areas that ED/ABD has impact on, law, mental health, medical implications, detention etc. The content is dictated by the College of Policing that they have copyright on which courses are developed from.

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