The New South Wales police minister, Yasmin Catley, and the premier, Chris Minns, have told police officers they are 'conscious of the challenges you are facing every day'. The government is expected to sign a new agreement with NSW Health that would see health workers, rather than police, respond to mental health incidents where there is no crime or risk to life.
New Model to Reduce Police Role
Speaking at the Police Association of NSW conference on Tuesday, Catley said a memorandum of understanding was 'very close to being signed'. She emphasised that the government is working closely with NSW Health to address the workload placed on officers. The proposed approach mirrors the UK's 'right person, right care' model, which deploys health professionals as first responders for mental health crises.
An internal NSW Police review released in September 2024 recommended adopting the UK model, acknowledging that police can be 'an escalating factor' at mental health incidents. A parliamentary inquiry in June 2024 also urged police to improve mental health training and explore becoming second responders.
Pressure for Reform After Fatal Shootings
Reforms have been demanded following the deaths of Clare Nowland, Steve Pampalian, Jesse Deacon, and Krista Kach in 2023, and Collin Burling in 2024, all while under mental health distress. Families of victims have called for health workers to be first responders, arguing that police involvement often escalates situations.
Premier Chris Minns indicated announcements on mental health callouts and prisoner transport are imminent. He acknowledged the broad responsibilities and staffing shortages faced by police. Opposition leader Kellie Sloane criticised the government for lacking a concrete response, stating officers are 'plugging too many gaps in a mental health system that is in crisis'.
Union Demands and Prison Population Surge
Police Association president Kevin Morton demanded reforms to stop police being the 'default response for every crisis'. He also criticised Corrective Services NSW for not handling prisoner transport, leaving police as 'Uber drivers for those in custody'. Morton called for court reforms to prevent prisoners from languishing in cells due to limited sitting hours.
NSW is incarcerating a record number of people under the Minns government, with over 14,000 in jail in March. The prison population surged by 1,200 in four months, driven by increased police enforcement, particularly for domestic violence. Catley told officers that the corrections minister might think they are 'doing too good a job' because jails are packed.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon noted that crime is falling or stable across most areas, but perceptions of safety matter. He pledged a relentless focus on organised crime, youth crime, domestic violence, and road trauma over the next two years. Lanyon acknowledged staffing shortages but said more officers are joining than leaving for the first time in years.
Minns announced a fourth annual class at the police academy in Goulburn to boost recruitment by 30% and fill vacancies.
