We called for health professionals, not police, to respond to mental health incidents.
The JEC has made a submission to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) on Mental health and policing interactions in NSW.
Our submission highlights the adverse impact of police as first responders to mental health incidents – providing examples of harmful interactions experienced by clients in our Homeless Persons Legal Service. We call for the implementation of a health-led, rather than police-led, response that is developed in partnership with communities. This is needed to deliver safer outcomes to people in crisis.
We also recommend:
- improvements to police training and policies, recognising that police will continue to interact with people experiencing mental health crises in some circumstances.
- reforms to strengthen the LECC’s oversight functions.
