Police Procedures

[Sleepless123]

I know a police lady who has been brilliant - very supportive of me and is amazing. However last night she became concerned for my welfare and has been concerned I will take my own life. Rather than contact me and mental health services instead she messaged a family member of mine without telling me. This has made things worse for me.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever had a similar experience and if it's OK for the police just to message a family member rather than mental health services if they feel you are at risk?

[hgyal]

This does sound odd. Is it possible she was acting as a friend rather than in a professional manner as a police officer?

I've never had an experience like this but I can see why you'd feel a little upset by this, especially as it's made things worse for you. Regardless, she should have contacted you or mental health services if she had concerns.

[Pomegranate]

It does seem a little odd. I was wondering though whether other boundaries with her are still in tact? That definitely isn’t mean accusingly or anything, just you said she’d been supporting you and you spoke to her last night. Was she on shift etc? Do you speak to her outside of shifts? If so then I think she is less bound by police protocol. However, I’m less sure if you’ve only had dealings with her in a professional capacity, during her shift times.

[Dataunit]

That could be against the Data Protection Act. Maybe contact the Information Commissioner to see what can be done to prevent it happening again? https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/