Abstract
The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the beliefs and perceptions of law enforcement officers toward mental health treatment and individuals with mental disorders. Research was conducted in February 2009 at the Sacramento County Main Jail facility among deputy officers. . Sixty questionnaires were distributed and fifty-seven officers volunteered their participation for this study. Information collected from the questionnaire consisted of six demographic items along with the Mental Illness Stigma Scale, developed by Dr. Erner N. Day. Analysis of the research supported the research hypothesis that a significant relationship exists between officers' education and training, and degree of stigmatized perceptions of mentally disordered individuals. Chi-Square values of 17.852 and 12.759, p-values of .001 and .013, were achieved in support of the relationship that lower level of education and less training resulted in higher rates of stigmatization. Findings indicate that further mental health training would be beneficial in additionally reducing stigmatized beliefs and language among law enforcement officers toward mentally disordered individuals.