Further reading and case studies
Negotiations with police
Tim
A young adult who was a great fan of the cops and robbers TV genre was picked up by police in a siege-type situation for attempting to hold up the local newsagency with a replica pistol. The person's behaviour was clearly naive rather than criminal. He was acting out a game based on a favourite TV show rather than acting upon any intention to commit an armed robbery. After an interview with the person's mother and hearing submissions from IDRS about the effects of the person's disability, the police exercised their discretion and decided not to lay charges. If charges had been laid, the matter may well have ended up in the District Court.