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