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The Summary Report of the New South Wales Police Force response to mental health incidents in the community considers the NSWPF role, responsibility and response to mental health incidents in the community.

The prevalence of mental ill-health continues to increase within the NSW community and there has been an increased dependence on police as the call of both first and last resort and an over reliance on police as the primary responders to emotional distress and mental health crises.

The Summary Report recommends that the NSWPF work with NSW Health to explore models for responding to mental health incidents in NSW consistent with the principles of the United Kingdom’s ‘Right Care Right Person’ (RCRP) model. The report is not intended to represent NSW Government policy.

An Executive level Steering Committee has been established by the NSWPF and NSW Health to consider the findings in the report and to develop options on an appropriate response model for mental health incidents for the Government’s consideration.

Read the report here.