Norfolk's PCC says it's "fair" to argue new policing plans might put more pressure on other services
The 'Right Care, Right Person initiative' is being introduced later this year
Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner has told us it's "fair" to argue that new policing plans might put more pressure on other services.
The 'Right Care, Right Person initiative' is being introduced later this year. It aims to ensure each case will handled by the right emergency responders.
"This why Norfolk Police is taking a slow run-up"
"Well I think it's a fair comment, we all come from a start point of austerity and all the unintended consequences that that had and this why Norfolk Police is taking a slow run-up at all of this. We are talking to all of the agencies concerned.
"At the moment about 20% of all calls into our control-room are related in one way or another to mental health. For the public, they won't see any of that but what they don't see are officers out on patrol because pairs of officers who have found somebody suffering from a mental health crisis, then end up sitting in A&E or wherever it is, looking after that patient".
"How many Police hours would that regenerate"
Giles Orpen Smellie has told us it's about striking a sensible balance:
"Clearly if somebody's life is at risk the police will respond. At the other end of the spectrum, if somebody rings the Police and says somebody is meant to have turned up to an appointment, they are suffering badly from a mental health condition and they didn't show, will you go around and check if they are alright-is that really a Police function?"
"Last year the Police responded to 7,400 missing person's reports. If we are not looking for 7 thousand people how many Police hours would that regenerate for Police officers to concentrate on what the public of Norfolk really want us to look at. Things like speeding motorists, anti-social behaviour and other similar things".
What has Norfolk Police said?
Deputy Chief Constable Simon Megicks said:
“Protecting the vulnerable and keeping people safe is at the heart of everything we do. However, all too often, police officers are dealing with situations that could be better handled by other, more appropriate agencies.
“This includes people in mental health crisis, who need the help and support of professionals and not the skills of a police officer. This type of demand is ever increasing with one in five calls we receive is mental health related.
“We are therefore letting our communities down twice; firstly, by not sending the right resource to people suffering mental-ill health and secondly, spending a large amount of time away from our core business of preventing and solving crime and supporting victims.
“The Right Care, Right Person initiative is about giving people the right support when they need it, from the right agency. It is supported by central government including the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care and the policy has been recognised by the College of Policing and the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) as good practice.
“We are currently exploring this initiative locally and aim to introduce it towards the end of the year in a planned and phased approach, working closely with partners.
“We would never make a decision that would put people in danger, and we will continue to attend incidents where a crime has happened, where there’s harm or a risk to life.
“Policing will always have a role with people suffering mental ill health, but we cannot bridge the gap in service provision of other agencies. This is not a sustainable position or one which is good patients. Being dealt with by the police can have a detrimental impact on vulnerable people.
“The additional pressure burden placed on officers was something recognised in our most recent HMICFRS inspection.”