Published Monday, 25 June, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
QUEENSLAND POLICE TRAINED UNDER MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION PROJECT
More than a quarter of the state’s police officers have undergone training as part of the Beattie Government’s Mental Health Intervention Project, Police Minister Judy Spence said today.
Ms Spence said first response officers in all but three police regions have completed or commenced their training, with the remaining regions set to begin training next month.
“Queensland police officers are expected to respond to all calls for assistance, whenever people are concerned about their safety or the safety of others, or if a crime is likely to occur,” Ms Spence said.
“Often calls for assistance involve people who have mental health issues, or are under the influence of drugs, meaning they are not of sound mind.
“The Mental Health Intervention Project aims to ensure all officers dealing with these types of offenders are trained with the necessary skills.”
The Mental Health Intervention Project is a cross-departmental initiative of the Beattie Government, involving the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Health.
“This government has committed $10 million over four years to this important project,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Police Service has already received $1.8 million of this project funding, to train first-response officers and to establish Mental Health Intervention District Coordinators.
“Under the program, trained police and ambulance officers are able to provide an early intervention response to identify and manage situations which may otherwise escalate, when dealing with people with mental health issues.
“It would be unreasonable to expect police would not be required to deal with people just because they may have mental health issues, and this program ensures officers have the capacity to manage such situations.”
Queensland Health has also recruited 12 specific Mental Health Intervention coordinators, responsible for developing links and local protocols between the local mental health services and Police districts to overcome the traditional barriers between the two services and allow for greater access to care especially in crisis situations.
“These measures go a long way towards ensuring Queensland Police are well equipped to deal with all types of situations, whether they involve people with mental health issues, or offenders that are under the influence of drugs and alcohol,” Ms Spence said.
More Information: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0408 732 491
Ms Spence said first response officers in all but three police regions have completed or commenced their training, with the remaining regions set to begin training next month.
“Queensland police officers are expected to respond to all calls for assistance, whenever people are concerned about their safety or the safety of others, or if a crime is likely to occur,” Ms Spence said.
“Often calls for assistance involve people who have mental health issues, or are under the influence of drugs, meaning they are not of sound mind.
“The Mental Health Intervention Project aims to ensure all officers dealing with these types of offenders are trained with the necessary skills.”
The Mental Health Intervention Project is a cross-departmental initiative of the Beattie Government, involving the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Health.
“This government has committed $10 million over four years to this important project,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Police Service has already received $1.8 million of this project funding, to train first-response officers and to establish Mental Health Intervention District Coordinators.
“Under the program, trained police and ambulance officers are able to provide an early intervention response to identify and manage situations which may otherwise escalate, when dealing with people with mental health issues.
“It would be unreasonable to expect police would not be required to deal with people just because they may have mental health issues, and this program ensures officers have the capacity to manage such situations.”
Queensland Health has also recruited 12 specific Mental Health Intervention coordinators, responsible for developing links and local protocols between the local mental health services and Police districts to overcome the traditional barriers between the two services and allow for greater access to care especially in crisis situations.
“These measures go a long way towards ensuring Queensland Police are well equipped to deal with all types of situations, whether they involve people with mental health issues, or offenders that are under the influence of drugs and alcohol,” Ms Spence said.
More Information: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0408 732 491