The issue of calling the police to deal with people with mental health problems in non-life-threatening situations is being discussed at a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) debate.
All candidates standing for Suffolk PCC took part in a special program on BBC Politics East.
Labor candidate Sir Robin Wales said mental health services should pay police overtime pay if they have to be called out for non-life-threatening incidents.
Conservative Party Candidate Tim Passmorethe current PCC said that dealing with mentally ill patients was “the job of the health service”.
Liberal Democrat candidate James Sandbach said mental health services needed to be “improved”, while Green Party candidate Rachel Smith-Wright said it was a major concern.
In 2023, Suffolk Police announced it would begin reducing the attendance of officers on mental health calls, but insisted keeping people safe was its priority.
This follows a decision by police forces across the country that officers in England will no longer respond to mental health concerns where there is no threat to life or where a crime has been committed.
The government wants to save police millions of hours each year.
Bosses said the force had been left “in limbo” dealing with less serious mental health issues, but the charity said it was “deeply concerned” by what could be a “dangerous” change. Ta.
Mr Passmore, who has served as Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner since he was first elected in November 2012, said it was the right decision and that police would always be present if people were “at risk”. Stated.
“Police officers are not mental health experts. That is the job of the health service,” he said.
Labor candidate Sir Robin, who has been mayor of the London borough of Newham, said the decision on mental health was the right one.
He said if services were “so bad” that police assistance was needed, “we would have to pay the police overtime.”
Liberal Democrat candidate Mr Sundback said there were serious problems with the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust, which oversees mental health provision.
“The solution is to fix the mental health system, but this is absolutely disgraceful. This is a national scandal,” he said.
Green Party candidate Ms Smith-Wright said the issue was “extremely” concerning.
“Our hearts go out to those affected by this. We have been cutting frontline services for decades. “I’m seeing it first hand,” she said.
Commenting on the PCC’s office, Sandbach said he thought it was a “complete waste of money”.
“I’m running to abolish the office. The resources that go into running the office should be redirected to front-line law enforcement,” he said.
Ms Smith-Wright said: “The role of the PCC is more oversight and a bigger picture than that of a chief constable.It is an important role in holding police accountable.”
“And that ensures that there is scrutiny and that people are getting the best value for their money.”
Passmore said the PCC’s budget is lower than previous city council oversight of police.
“It’s no use just saying, ‘Get rid of them,'” he says. “Then you have to get police governance in place.”
Sir Robin said: “I will not abolish it. I have announced what I am going to do and if I cannot do it I will resign.”
“What we need to do is think about how to align the powers that Congress has with the powers that police have.”
Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust said it did not want to comment during the election period.
Politics East will be broadcast on BBC One on Sunday 21 April at 14:15 BST. Available to watch after broadcast on BBC iPlayer.
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