Page 15 - WMPF Federation Dec2018-flip_Neat

‘We are not mental

health experts’

xpecting police to be mental health “In the West Midlands, we have
experts or social workers is unfair for developed a mental health triage team
E officers and the public, according to staffed by a small number of officers and
West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich healthcare professionals. This works well but
Cooke. those officers are often overwhelmed with
Rich was commenting as Her Majesty’s the demand.”
Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoë
Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published a Billingham has praised officers for their
report on mental health and policing. efforts to cope with the mental health crisis.
The report, which is entitled ‘Picking Up “Police officers naturally want to respond
The Pieces’, concludes that police officers are and do their best to support vulnerable
increasingly being used as the service of people when they ask for help. And, we
default in responding to people with mental found that police officers respond to those
health problems. with mental health problems with care and
“This report is yet more evidence to back compassion,” she said.
up what the Police Federation has been “But we cannot expect the police to pick
saying for some time. We try our best to up the pieces of a broken mental health
help people in crisis. We are supportive and system. Over-stretched and all too often
compassionate but we are not mental overwhelmed police officers can’t always
health experts and should not be left to fill respond appropriately, and people in mental
the gaps in provision by other cash-strapped health crisis don’t always get the help they
organisations,” says Rich. need.”
“Police officers are trying their best to She added: “All too often, the system is HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoë
help the public and the report makes it clear failing people when they most need help. Billingham.
that we are doing a good job in difficult This is not a problem that the police alone
circumstances. But it also raises concerns can solve. Other services need to stop relying recorded the number of cases involving
over whether the police should be involved on the 24/7 availability of the police. people with mental health problems to
in responding to people with mental health “We have grave concerns about whether provide the right support; and made sure
problems at the current level. the police should be involved in responding expert help is available from other
“On a daily basis, front-line officers to mental health problems to the degree organisations, in particular health
spend increasing amounts of time helping they are. Fundamental change is needed professionals.
and supporting people in crisis. This takes urgently in the way those with mental The report, which includes five
them away from other duties like preventing health problems are supported by the state. recommendations, identifies that police
crime and catching criminals. The police should be the last resort, not the forces could improve training and building a
“We need to see an urgent re-think. It is first port of call.” clearer view of demand. But the report
often wrong for people with mental health HMICFRS assessed how effectively police concludes that the longer-term solution
problems to find themselves in the back of a forces in England and Wales as well as the must involve all public services if it is to
police car or under police guard for long British Transport Police identified people provide people with mental health
periods of time but there is frequently no with mental health problems and when they problems with the expert support they
“ put the blame for the problems in meeting
other safe option.
first contacted the force; identified and
deserve.

National Federation chair John Apter has
We have grave concerns about whether the
demand for mental health support services
police should be involved in responding to
firmly at the Government’s door.
mental health problems to the degree they

“The Government’s austerity policies
have led us to this dire state. I hope the
are. Fundamental change is needed
this report and hang their heads in shame
urgently in the way those with mental health Prime Minister and the Home Secretary read
at the situation they have not only created,
problems are supported by the state. The but were warned about, on numerous
occasions,” he said.
police should be the last resort, not the first “It is not right for anyone – officers or
the public – that the police should be
port of call. responsible for the safety and welfare of
people that other professionals would be
better placed to deal with.”

www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2018/January 2019 15
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