Dr Catherine Garrington1, Detective Sergeant Adam Casey1
1Australian Federal Police, Canberra, Australia
Biography:
Dr. Catherine Garrington is an operational psychologist with extensive experience in the correctional and policing systems, particularly in relation to the assessment and treatment of violent and sexual offenders. Catherine is currently the Operational Psychologist with the AFP’s Fixated Persons team.
Abstract:
Imagine: you are a foreign national who believes your life is in danger, and you are the only person who can save Australia by warning the Australian Government of the impending alien invasion and mass destruction. You report your concerns to a national security report line, then travel thousands of kilometres to Australia to attend multiple government organisations who you think can help.
The Australian Federal Police Fixated Persons team manages fixated behaviour directed towards high office holders and protected establishments on a daily basis. Often, this is motivated by unmanaged mental illness. We work with Australian mental health and other service providers to ensure people who are in Australia and come to police attention for possible fixated behaviour get the treatment and ongoing support they need to live well and not come to further police attention due to their mental health condition.
But what happens when the person exhibiting fixated behaviour resides overseas?
This presentation outlines the challenges faced by the Australian Federal Police Fixated Persons team when managing fixated behaviour from foreign nationals who have travelled to Australia. Through a case study of a person who was motivated by delusional beliefs to travel from overseas to Australia and attend local protected establishments, we explore our legislative and ethical obligations and their complex interplay with involuntary mental health treatment, information sharing with key stakeholders, managing international relationships, and reducing the risk of future harm through misadventure.