Law enforcement officers are tasked with responding to various types of calls for service in the community, including individuals in crisis. Thus, the current study examines public perceptions regarding crisis related behaviors and preferred police responses. The current study used experimentally designed case vignettes from an online opt-in survey to tap into crisis-related behaviors (drunkenly passed out, injecting a substance, walking around talking to oneself, and standing on the edge of bridge). The study examined whether respondents ( = 880) viewed the behavior as a crime and how they wanted law enforcement to respond, including arrest, take to treatment, release to family or friend, and ignore and do nothing. Being drunkenly passed out, injecting a substance, and standing on the edge of a bridge were more likely to be considered a crime relative to walking around talking to themselves. Generally, respondents wanted law enforcement to do something rather than nothing. However, the preferred outcome varied by situation. Findings have recommendations regarding the criminalization of mental health and education for the public on crisis behaviors linked to locally driven resources and supports.

中文翻译：

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模棱两可的呼吁：公众对危机中民众的执法反应的偏好

执法人员的任务是响应社区中各种类型的服务呼吁，包括处于危机中的个人。因此，当前的研究调查了公众对危机相关行为和首选警察反应的看法。目前的研究使用了在线选择参与调查中实验设计的案例片段来挖掘与危机相关的行为（醉酒昏倒、注射物质、四处走动自言自语以及站在桥边）。该研究调查了受访者（= 880）是否认为这种行为是犯罪，以及他们希望执法部门如何回应，包括逮捕、接受治疗、释放给家人或朋友，以及忽视和无所作为。与四处走动自言自语相比，醉酒昏倒、注射物质、站在桥边更有可能被视为犯罪。一般来说，受访者希望执法部门有所作为，而不是无所作为。然而，首选结果因情况而异。调查结果提出了关于将心理健康定为刑事犯罪以及对公众进行与当地驱动的资源和支持相关的危机行为教育的建议。