The police, social services and psychiatry (psp) co-operation

The PSP co-operation, the cross-sectoral co-operation between police, social services and psychiatry, started in Frederiksberg in 2004 and was implemented by law throughout Denmark in 2009.
This report describes the concept, process, practice and experience from PSP Frederiksberg, Odense, Amager and Esbjerg and gives a number of recommendations against this background. Part 1 collects and disseminates experience from Frederiksberg, whereas Part 2, exemplified by PSP Odense, Amager and Esbjerg, investigates how the new co-operation may be established under legislation.
One of the conclusions is that the PSP co-operation actually draws attention to marginalised groups of citizen and helps prevent social downfall and crime. Also, despite the statutory authority to exchange information, the duty of confidentiality invites the authorities to discuss citizen’s ethics.
Among other things, the recommendations are to adapt co-operation to local conditions, avoid unnecessary red-tape, keep constant focus on citizen’s ethics, as well as involve the front line at individual authorities, i.e. those who are actually in contact with marginalised citizens.
The report has been commissioned and financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs.