THE ANNUAL RATE OF POLICE REFERRAL WAS EXAMINED FROM 1962-1973 INCLUSIVE. THE SAMPLE OF REFERRALS FOR ONE 12 MONTH PERIOD WAS STUDIED TO SURVEY SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS, THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN POLICE INTERVENTION AND AREAS OF THE CITY, THE NATURE OF THE SITUATION REQUIRING INTERVENTION AND THE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT WHICH THESE PATIENTS RECEIVED. THE REFERRALS WERE TRACED FROM CONTACT WITH THE MENTAL WELFARE OFFICER TO HOSPITAL WHERE THE CASE NOTES OF THOSE ADMITTED WERE STUDIED FOR LEGAL STATUS AND MENTAL STATE ON ADMISSION, DIAGNOSIS, LENGTH OF STAY, AND DISPOSITION. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS METHOD OF ENTERING TREATMENT IS ASSESSED AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE TO IMPROVE BOTH REFERRAL PRACTICES AND TREATMENT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)