Abstract
Purpose. This study examined how internal police management practices influence the performance and outcomes of mental evaluation teams (METs) operating in two large municipal police departments in Los Angeles County. Although coresponse crisis intervention programs are widely promoted as mechanisms to reduce use of force, improve connections to mental health services, and mitigate recurring crises, limited empirical research has examined how leadership approaches, organizational structures, and agency culture shape the implementation and effectiveness of these programs.
Theoretical Framework. This study was guided by contingency theory, situational leadership theory, organizational development theory, and postmodern public administration theory. This study investigated how managerial discretion, leadership style, interagency collaboration, and organizational culture influence crisis response practices and outcomes.
Methodology. The study employed a mixed methods comparative case study design. The quantitative analysis examined call-for-service data, response times, psychiatric holds, repeat crisis encounters, and officer experience. The qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews with officers and supervisors from four METs and four law enforcement teams (LETs) in each municipal police department in Los Angeles County between September and October 2023.
Findings and Conclusion. Findings revealed significant variation in program effectiveness in the two departments. Agencies characterized by adaptive leadership, supportive supervision, and strong collaborative relationships with mental health providers demonstrated improved service linkage, more consistent use of de-escalation strategies, and fewer repeat crisis encounters. Conversely, departments operating within more rigid command structures, uneven training practices, and limited mental health partnerships exhibited longer response times and greater reliance on enforcement-oriented responses. These findings underline the critical role of management practices, organizational culture, and interagency collaboration in shaping crisis intervention outcomes.
Recommendations. Police departments should strengthen leadership development models, expand specialized crisis intervention training, enhance collaborative governance structures with mental health agencies, and implement standardized performance evaluation measures for MET programs. These strategies may improve service delivery, reduce recurring crisis encounters, and enhance the effectiveness of police-based mental health response programs.