The second phase of police withdrawal from mental health callouts starts in parts of the country next week. 

From Monday, detained mental health patients will be handed over within 60 minutes at Waitematā, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Nelson-Marlborough, and West Coast EDs. 

Police will also tighten custody rules to reduce unnecessary assessments. 

Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says police will make sure handovers are done safely. 

"We want our police staff to be out dealing with the issues that the public are expecting - and keeping people safe." 

LISTEN ABOVE