Published Wednesday, 01 October, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Liberal-National Party out-of-date on nature of 21st Century policing
Police Minister Judy Spence and Health Minister Stephen Robertson have rejected claims by the Liberal-National Party that police are being inappropriately forced to respond to call-outs involving people with mental health issues.
“It is entirely appropriate that our police respond to any and all calls for service whenever people are concerned about their safety or the safety of others, or if a crime is likely to occur,” Ms Spence said.
“The Liberal-National Party’s suggestion that police should not have to deal with these sorts of incidents is ridiculous. This just shows how out-of-touch they are when it comes to the nature of modern day policing.”
Ms Spence said figures tabled in Parliament this week in response to a Question on Notice, reflect the number of incidents in each police district, where officers have attended a call-out which they believe may involve a person with mental health issues.
“These are not incidents where a person has been clinically assessed as mentally ill.
“Calls for assistance may involve people who have mental health issues, are aggressive, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, meaning they are considered not to be of sound mind.
“This Government recognises the need to equip our police with the skills and training required to deal sensitively and appropriately with such situations.
“That is why we have committed $10 Million over four years to the Mental Health Intervention Project.
“The cross-departmental initiative involving the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Health, aims to ensure all officers dealing with these types of offenders are trained with the necessary skills.
“Almost 5,000 police officers across all police regions have now undertaken mental health intervention first response officer training.
“There are now 50 district and 8 regional mental health intervention police coordinators trained throughout the State, and more than 200 communication room operators have undertaken call taker mental health intervention courses.
“Under the Mental Health Intervention Project, 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.”
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said Queensland Health had recruited Mental Health Intervention coordinators in each District to develop links and local protocols between the local mental health services and Police districts to overcome the traditional barriers between the two services.
“It also enables sensitive information to be shared with Police and ambulance officers in crisis incidents,” he said.
Ms Spence said it would be unreasonable to expect police would not be required to deal with people just because they may have mental health issues, or not be considered of sound mind.
“This Government is realistic about the issues facing our police and that is why we are investing millions of dollars in training our officers to manage such situations,” Ms Spence said.
Mr Robertson said from 2006-07 the Queensland Government had also provided an unprecedented funding boost for the mental health sector of more than $980 million over five years.
“This will deliver more than 270 new and redeveloped inpatient mental health beds across the State,” he said.
In addition the Queensland Government’s investment is delivering:
• 400 new community mental health workers
• $58 million over four years for improved community support and accommodation services
• $40 million over four years for social housing
• more than $9 million for mental health promotion and early intervention.
“This is about enabling people, where appropriate, to be treated in their communities and close to their friends and families, rather than being institutionalised,” Mr Robertson said.
“This approach is recognised worldwide as giving people with mental illness the best outcomes and the best opportunity to continue leading positive lives as productive members of society.
“It has been ten years since Mr Johnson has been in Government, and it shows.
“Mental Health care has evolved significantly since then, but he is still implying the best way to treat the one in five Queenslanders who will suffer a serious mental illness during their lifetime is to lock them up in institutions,” he said.
Media Contacts: Minister Spence's Office – 3239 6172
Minister Robertson's Office – 3234 1185
“It is entirely appropriate that our police respond to any and all calls for service whenever people are concerned about their safety or the safety of others, or if a crime is likely to occur,” Ms Spence said.
“The Liberal-National Party’s suggestion that police should not have to deal with these sorts of incidents is ridiculous. This just shows how out-of-touch they are when it comes to the nature of modern day policing.”
Ms Spence said figures tabled in Parliament this week in response to a Question on Notice, reflect the number of incidents in each police district, where officers have attended a call-out which they believe may involve a person with mental health issues.
“These are not incidents where a person has been clinically assessed as mentally ill.
“Calls for assistance may involve people who have mental health issues, are aggressive, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, meaning they are considered not to be of sound mind.
“This Government recognises the need to equip our police with the skills and training required to deal sensitively and appropriately with such situations.
“That is why we have committed $10 Million over four years to the Mental Health Intervention Project.
“The cross-departmental initiative involving the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Health, aims to ensure all officers dealing with these types of offenders are trained with the necessary skills.
“Almost 5,000 police officers across all police regions have now undertaken mental health intervention first response officer training.
“There are now 50 district and 8 regional mental health intervention police coordinators trained throughout the State, and more than 200 communication room operators have undertaken call taker mental health intervention courses.
“Under the Mental Health Intervention Project, 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.”
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said Queensland Health had recruited Mental Health Intervention coordinators in each District to develop links and local protocols between the local mental health services and Police districts to overcome the traditional barriers between the two services.
“It also enables sensitive information to be shared with Police and ambulance officers in crisis incidents,” he said.
Ms Spence said it would be unreasonable to expect police would not be required to deal with people just because they may have mental health issues, or not be considered of sound mind.
“This Government is realistic about the issues facing our police and that is why we are investing millions of dollars in training our officers to manage such situations,” Ms Spence said.
Mr Robertson said from 2006-07 the Queensland Government had also provided an unprecedented funding boost for the mental health sector of more than $980 million over five years.
“This will deliver more than 270 new and redeveloped inpatient mental health beds across the State,” he said.
In addition the Queensland Government’s investment is delivering:
• 400 new community mental health workers
• $58 million over four years for improved community support and accommodation services
• $40 million over four years for social housing
• more than $9 million for mental health promotion and early intervention.
“This is about enabling people, where appropriate, to be treated in their communities and close to their friends and families, rather than being institutionalised,” Mr Robertson said.
“This approach is recognised worldwide as giving people with mental illness the best outcomes and the best opportunity to continue leading positive lives as productive members of society.
“It has been ten years since Mr Johnson has been in Government, and it shows.
“Mental Health care has evolved significantly since then, but he is still implying the best way to treat the one in five Queenslanders who will suffer a serious mental illness during their lifetime is to lock them up in institutions,” he said.
Media Contacts: Minister Spence's Office – 3239 6172
Minister Robertson's Office – 3234 1185