Police say their new approach to mental health callouts is working.  

They're now in phase three out of four of the programme, meaning there's a higher threshold for officers to attend calls from mental health workers.  

Officers will also assess the appropriateness before responding to missing persons reports for those with mental health concerns.  

Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson told Mike Hosking there's been a 75% reduction in mental health patients in their cells.  

He says there have also been 900 fewer calls-for-service in the past month, compared to the same time last year. 

Johnson says the previous system was not a good use of resources, as sitting in EDs with patients wasn’t advancing community safety. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Police say their new approach to mental health callouts is working. &nbsp;
They're now in phase three out of four of the programme, meaning there's a higher threshold for officers to attend calls from mental health workers. &nbsp;
Officers will also assess the appropriateness before responding to missing persons reports for those with mental health concerns. &nbsp;
Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson told Mike Hosking there's been a 75% reduction in mental health patients in their cells. &nbsp;
He says there have also been 900 fewer calls-for-service in the past month, compared to the same time last year.&nbsp;
Johnson says the previous system was not a good use of resources, as sitting in EDs with patients wasn’t advancing community safety.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Mike Johnson: Police Assistant Commissioner on the next phase of the Mental Health Response Change Programme

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/333d6854-1065-442c-a30c-b39801475547/transcript

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