NSW police to avoid mental health incidents under UK model after spate of fatal shootings
New South Wales police are set to implement a new agreement with the health department to address mental health incidents, moving towards a model where health workers respond first. This decision follows a series of fatal police shootings involving individuals in mental health distress, prompting calls for reform. The police minister emphasized the need to relieve officers from being the default responders in such crises.
- ▪An agreement between NSW police and the health department is close to being signed to handle mental health incidents.
- ▪The proposed model is similar to the UK's 'right person, right care' approach, prioritizing health workers over police for mental health call-outs.
- ▪The police union has called for reforms to prevent officers from being the default response in mental health crises.
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The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, and the premier, Chris Minns, have told police officers they are ‘conscious of the challenges you are facing every day’. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPView image in fullscreenThe NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, and the premier, Chris Minns, have told police officers they are ‘conscious of the challenges you are facing every day’. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPAustralian police and policingNSW police to avoid mental health incidents under UK model after spate of fatal shootingsExclusive: Families of victims have called for health workers to be first responders and police minister says deal with NSW Health ‘very close to being signed’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Guardian — World.
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