JODIE HARRISON CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO POLICE TO DEAL WITH THE MENTALLY ILL

Member for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison today gave a Notice of Motion calling on the Government to provide adequate training to NSW Police officers to better deal with people with mental health issues.

The call follows the release of findings by the Deputy State Coroners inquest into the fatal shooting death of the knife-wielding postal worker, Stephen Hodge at Warners Bay Post Office in 2015.

Ms Harrisons motion noted that:


Deputy State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan handed down inquest findings that suggest NSW Police provide more training so officers can better deal with mentally ill people in emergency situations;
dealing with people with acute mental health issues is one of the increasing problems being faced by police in the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command;
as per the Deputy Coroners findings, adequate training in specific de-escalation techniques for NSW Police officers has the potential to save lives; and
Called on the Government to consider greater integration of mental health informed training with an emphasis on specific de-escalation techniques.


Our police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day. Theyve got a tough job to do to keep us, our families and our communities safe and they deserve quality training to allow them to do their jobs adequately.