Can Military Police decide to classify a detainee as being on suicide watch?

Classifying a detainee as being on suicide watch is a significant decision that requires careful consideration of an individual's mental health status. While it is true that military police play a role in maintaining security and safety within the detention facilities, the qualification for placing someone under suicide watch generally necessitates a thorough evaluation by trained mental health professionals. These professionals utilize standardized assessments to determine the risk factors associated with self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

The assertion that military police can classify someone as being on suicide watch before mental health assessments is misleading as it overlooks the established protocols that prioritize the expertise of mental health professionals in such sensitive situations. Allowing military police to make this determination without proper assessments can lead to potential misclassifications and inadequate mental health care for detainees. This emphasizes the importance of having trained mental health personnel involved to ensure that appropriate measures are taken based on clinical evaluations.

In scenarios of extreme emergencies, the immediate safety of a detainee is vital, but even then, mental health professionals should ideally be consulted. Therefore, while military police have a role in managing detainee conditions, the classification of suicide watch should be left to mental health experts who can provide a comprehensive assessment.