5-09/070.05 - Emergency Detention

When any person is taken into custody as authorized by section 5150 WIC, he shall be transported to the designated area hospital, psychiatric unit, if bed space is available. Availability may be ascertained by contacting the admitting office of the psychiatric unit by telephone prior to departure to the center.

When bed space is not available at the designated area hospital, the Deputies may be required to transport to the designated back-up hospital.

Admission procedure and necessary paperwork will be the same at both locations. Prior to transporting, the Deputy shall verbally inform the person of information found in the Detainment Advisement on the Mental Health Form (MH 1533).

If the person is admitted, the Deputy shall prepare, or have prepared, the following forms:

• Incident Report (SH-R-49);
• Application for 72-hour Detention for Evaluation and Treatment (Form MH 1533) to be prepared in triplicate with the URN number written in the upper right corner. Distribute as follows:
  • Two copies to the admitting desk; and
  • One copy to be attached to the case report;
• Property Receipt - Hospital to prepare a receipt for the person's personal property and Deputy to obtain a copy the receipt. The URN is to be added to the Department's copy and attached to the case report; and
• Receipt for Transporting Patient - (If issued by the hospital):
  • Original copy to Station/Unit URN file.

When the alleged mentally ill person is refused admittance by the attending doctor at the psychiatric unit, the alleged mentally ill person shall be released from custody and shall be returned to the scene of apprehension. Should he refuse transportation, he may be released at the hospital.