Push for police to be removed from mental health crisis responses | 7.30

Summary of YouTube Video:

Key Concepts:

• Welfare check risks for police officers
• Mental health crisis response by police
• Co-responder model (police + clinicians)
• Health-led response (mental health professionals only)
• Mental incompetence defense in criminal cases
• Impact of mental health taskings on police resources
• Alternatives to police response for mental health incidents

The Death of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doy

In November 2023, Brevet Sergeant Jason Doy was fatally shot while performing a welfare check on Jaden Stimson, a 26-year-old man with undiagnosed schizophrenia, near the South Australian-Victorian border. Stimson had allegedly shot a dog, prompting the call for a welfare check. Doy and two colleagues split up to search the property when Stimson appeared with a firearm and opened fire. Doy died at the scene, while one of his colleagues, Michael Hutchinson, and Stimson were injured. Stimson was charged with Doy's murder but was found not guilty due to mental incompetence.

Impact on Family and Colleagues

Jason Doy's death has had a profound impact on his family, who are struggling to cope with the loss of their future with him. His brother acknowledges that Stimson was suffering a mental health episode but emphasizes that it doesn't ease the pain for the family. Doy is remembered as a great officer who was fair in his dealings with the community.

Increasing Mental Health Taskings for Police

South Australia's police commissioner, Grant Stevens, notes a significant increase in mental health-related calls for police. In the past year, police responded to almost 11,000 mental health incidents, a 26% increase in 5 years. These incidents consumed over 23,000 hours, a 108% increase since 2019. This increase in mental health taskings diverts resources from proactive policing and crime prevention.

Limitations of Police Response to Mental Health Crises

Commissioner Stevens acknowledges that police officers are not qualified mental health clinicians. The presence of uniformed officers, lights, sirens, and multiple patrol cars can negatively impact individuals experiencing a mental health episode. Police remedies often involve detention, which may not be the best outcome for someone in a mental health crisis.

Nationwide Issue and Alternative Responses

The issue of police responding to mental health crises is a nationwide problem. In New South Wales, roughly 43% of people killed or harmed by police were experiencing a mental health crisis. In Victoria, police are often the first responders to mental health emergencies. The National Justice Project advocates for a complete health-led response, where trained mental health professionals handle mental health incidents without police involvement. They emphasize that their approach involves no weapons or use of force, focusing on the safety of the individual in crisis and others affected.

Co-Responder Model and the Need for Change

South Australia is trialing a co-responder model, where police are accompanied by experienced clinicians during some mental health incidents. However, the National Justice Project believes police should be removed from the response altogether. The Bondi Junction attack, where a mentally ill man fatally stabbed six people before being shot by police, highlights the complexities of emergency responses involving individuals with mental illness. While the New South Wales government is examining alternative responses, it maintains that police will always attend incidents involving weapons or direct threats to life. Victoria Police supports the introduction of a health response and aims to reduce police involvement.

Jason Doy's Legacy

Jason Doy's brother, Brett Doug, supports exploring new ideas for mental health crisis response. He will deliver a victim impact statement about his brother's death to South Australia's Supreme Court. Jason Doy's legacy is his community involvement and care, which was evident in the outpouring of support following his death.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video highlights the increasing burden on police to respond to mental health crises, the limitations of police intervention in such situations, and the need for alternative, health-led responses. The death of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doy underscores the risks faced by police officers during welfare checks and the importance of finding more appropriate and effective ways to support individuals experiencing mental health crises. The debate centers on whether a co-responder model is sufficient or if a complete shift to a health-led response is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of both individuals in crisis and the community.