NSW police to avoid mental health incidents under UK model after spate of fatal shootings
Summary
New South Wales (NSW) police and health officials in Australia are close to signing an agreement to change how mental health crises are handled. Police will no longer be the first responders to these calls unless there is a crime or danger, with health workers taking the lead instead.Key Facts
- NSW police and the health department are finalizing a new plan for handling mental health incidents based on the UK's model.
- The UK’s “right person, right care” model sends health workers, not police, to mental health calls without crime or immediate danger.
- An internal NSW police review admitted police sometimes make mental health crises worse and suggested experts should lead responses.
- A June 2024 parliamentary inquiry urged better mental health training for officers and recommended health workers be first responders.
- The push for reform increased after several deaths in 2023 and 2024 involving police and people in mental health distress.
- NSW police union demands police stop being the default crisis responders and criticizes their role in prisoner transport.
- NSW prison population recently hit a record high after bail reforms, with police enforcement increasing, especially in domestic violence cases.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged police challenges and hinted at upcoming announcements on mental health and prisoner transport changes.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.