sargeant matt ireland, new south wales police force: the mental health intervention team (mhit) is...
Post on 31-May-2015
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NSW Police Force
Police, mental health and security in the
Hospital setting
Senior Sergeant Matt Ireland
MHIT Coordinator
Outline
1. Roles, functions and training provided by the
MHIT
2. The context in which police engage in the
Hospital setting
3. Police powers under the Mental Health Act
(2007)
4. Interactions with NSW Health, Ambulance and
Hospital Security
5. Future directions
Roles, functions and
training provided by
the MHIT
COPS Mental Health Incidents
Mental Health incidents
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Year
Incid
en
ts
The MHIT
MHIT
• MHIT established in NSW in 2007
• Fulltime unit in NSW Police Force from 2009
• Responsible for mental health strategy, policy,
program delivery and training for NSWPF
• NSWPF attends over 38,500 mental health
incidents annually
• Network of Mental Health Contact Officers
(MHCO’s) across the state
• Trained 1,375 Officers in the MHIT Course
MHIT Objectives
•Reduce the risk of injury to police and mental health
consumers during mental health crisis events,
•Improved awareness by front line police of risks involved
in dealing with mental health consumers and strategies to
reduce injuries to police and consumers,
•Improved collaboration with other government and non-
government agencies in the response to and management
of mental health crisis events, and
•Reduce the time consumed by police in the handover of
mental health consumers into the health care system.
MHIT Training
• Comprehensive four day training program
• Police are trained in signs and symptoms of mental illness, Ambulance procedures, risk assessment, child and adolescent disorders, medications, personality disorders, substance abuse, legislation and communication techniques
• 2 Consumers and a carer also speak about their lives and what it is like to live with and care for someone with a mental illness
• Role play scenarios are used to allow police to put into practice the information they have learnt – role players are clinical health workers
The context in which
police engage in
the Hospital setting
How are police involved
1. Police detain and take a person under
Section 22 or other MHA provisions
2. Assist Ambulance in Section 20
detainment
3. Called by Hospital to assist with above
persons or those who self present
4. Public safety incidents at hospitals
Police powers under
the Mental Health Act
(2007)
Section 22 NSW MHA (2007)
Allows for a Police officer to apprehend a person who is either
mentally ill or mentally disturbed (in any place) and either
1. IS committing or has RECENTLY committed an offence OR
2. Has RECENTLY attempted to kill him or herself or someone
else or it is PROBABLE that the person will kill him or herself or
someone else OR
3. Attempt to cause SERIOUS injury to him or herself or someone
else AND
• It is better to deal with them under this act rather than in
accordance with the law THEN
• Police may take them to a declared mental health facility or other
health facility and be empowered under Section 81.
Section 22 Continued
• The threshold, then, is very high to detain someone under
this Act
• There will be many occasions where someone is clearly
mentally ill, however Section 22 does not allow us to
detain them.
• All NSW Police Officers can exercise powers under this
Act, if the criteria are met and it is appropriate to detain
them.
• Police can also use Section 6 of the Police Act (1990)
(“the protection of persons from injury or death, and
property from damage, whether arising from criminal acts
or in any other way”)
Interactions with NSW Health,
Ambulance and Hospital
Security
Hospital Security – Feedback from Senior Police
• Broad perception of lack of security
• Assistance at non-declared facilities
• This is a state-wide issue
• Dealt with best through LPC’s and stakeholder
meetings
• Develop a stakeholder meeting in your LAC with
Hospital Security to develop local protocols
• Police over use is a waste of resources
Police Role
• Police main function is public safety
• Police can assist other agencies where public safety is at risk or imminent
• Police are empowered to assist with transport, sedation of patients and to search (as are other authorised persons)
• Police have no power under the MHA (2007) to perform a security function within the hospital setting – public safety yes, security no.
Working with other agencies
• Police work with agencies to ensure a persons safety and to
arrive at a better outcome
• What do police need?
– Information, information and more information
– Ascertain the history
– Ascertain the best way to communicate with the person
– Look for least restrictive ways to deal with the situation
– Speak with a supervisor if necessary
– Remember our actions are predicated upon risk
– Are there alternative ways of dealing with this situation?
Future directions
Future Directions
•Continue 4 day Mental Health Training
•Roll out the one day training package
•Strengthen local relationships between Hospitals
and NSWPF through LPC’s (Security to attend)
•Provide frontline police and their managers with
clear direction/information relating to roles and
responsibilities
Conclusion
•The NSWPF is taking an active role in how we as
an organisation deal with mental health
presentations
•We are achieving this through training, policy and
engaging with other involved agencies
•We are looking to destigmatise and decriminalise
mental health through a significant cultural shift
•Thanks for listening and we look forward to
working with you.
Any Questions?
•Contact details:
Senior Sergeant Matt Ireland
33579@police.nsw.gov.au
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