Understanding Involuntary Hospitalization Applications Submitted to an Urban Police Department

To improve understanding of the application process for temporary involuntary hospitalization (Section 12 of the Massachusetts General Laws) in Boston, the authors focused on cases involving the Boston Police Department (PD) and the information shared about the individuals involved.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on all Section 12 applications submitted to the Boston PD by external clinicians from July 14, 2021, to June 30, 2022. The authors analyzed 488 applications processed by the Boston PD’s Street Outreach Unit, examining demographic information, reasons for requests, information provided by petitioners, and the status of the applications (completed vs. not).

The analysis revealed racial disparities: 41% of involuntary hospitalization applications were for individuals identified as Black or African American, but this racial group represents only 23% of Boston’s population. Racial-ethnic data were based on police perceptions, and 21% of cases lacked race-ethnicity data. Seventy-six percent of applications were submitted without a direct clinical examination by petitioners, who did not justify the omission. The Boston PD completed 70% of the requested involuntary hospitalization orders.

This study identified substantial racial disparities in Section 12 applications, which disproportionately involved Black or African American individuals. The frequent absence of direct clinical examinations before application submissions and the lack of justification indicated a need for regulatory oversight and enhanced petitioner training. Incomplete demographic data underscored the need for improved data collection and reporting practices. These findings highlight the need for reforms to ensure equitable, transparent, and best practice–aligned involuntary hospitalization processes.