Reluctant warriors : police as pawns in the war on addiction, mental health and homelessness

Police agencies throughout Canada have been increasingly relied upon to respond to complex social issues, such as addictions, mental health, and homelessness, despite these concerns falling outside the traditional realm of criminal activity and public safety (Department of Justice Canada, 2018). Although police have a role in resolving these societal issues, this study posits that they should not be the primary agency when dealing with vulnerable populations. This study examines the causal factors that create stigmatisation toward vulnerable populations, particularly at the local government and community level, that has manifested into a criminal justice, rather than a health and wellbeing approach, to address community concerns. To examine these issues, calls for service data from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia were analyzed, followed by semi-structured qualitative interviews with 14 professionals working in the areas of criminal justice, health, and advocacy. Several related themes emerged from this analysis, including the need for: increased collaboration between police, social services, and health agencies; the reduction of barriers to implementing collaboration, the reduction of stigmatisation towards vulnerable populations; a re-assessment of the role of police toward vulnerable populations; increased investment into supports; and decriminalisation of illicit drugs providing that significant investment and policies are in place. The data and interviews indicate that police have become the default in responding to certain social concerns, causing them to become reluctant warriors against those suffering from mental health and addictions due to outdated policies that stigmatize and marginalize the very people they seek to protect.