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Why Awareness of Mental Health in Policing Matters. |
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Good morning Resident
West Midlands Police (WMP) — like other police forces — often finds itself at the interface between public safety, crime prevention, and mental health. As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s important to understand how WMP works to support people in crisis, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure their response to mental health issues is safe, appropriate and compassionate. Below is a summary of what West Midlands Police does, how it is evolving, and what this means for people in the West Midlands.
📞 Responding to mental health crises: “Right Care, Right Person” WMP has formally adopted the approach known as Right Care, Right Person (RCRP). This framework aims to ensure that when someone experiences a mental-health crisis, they receive help from the most appropriate service — not automatically the police. Under RCRP, police intervention generally occurs only when there is an immediate risk to life, or serious risk of harm to the person or others — for example if there is a threat to safety. In many cases, the better response may come from health-care professionals, social services, or community mental health teams — rather than uniformed officers. This shift helps avoid criminalising mental distress and allows the police to focus on crime prevention and public safety, while ensuring people in crisis get the right care.
Specialist response: trained officers, triage & partnership working WMP maintains a “Mental Health Tactical Advisor Unit” — a specialist group of officers (12 officers in 3 teams of 4) trained to support mental health-related incidents. In some areas, WMP uses or has used joint “triage” patrols: teams made up of police officers and mental health professionals, or systems where officers can consult with mental health professionals via telephone. This approach is guided by WMP’s formal Mental Health Policy, which aligns with the national guidelines from the College of Policing. The policy emphasises safeguarding the dignity and rights of persons in crisis, reducing reliance on police as default crisis responders, and working closely with health-care partners. Through this model, WMP aims to keep people safe while ensuring that mental health crises are managed appropriately, with a mixture of policing and health-care support depending on need.
Support for victims, mental-health service users, and emergency workers WMP recognises that mental-health service users — including patients in inpatient settings — may sometimes be involved in crimes (or be victims, or be involved in incidents requiring investigation). To address this, the force runs a long-term programme (initially piloted as Operation Stone) to ensure fair, sensitive, but accountable investigations. A dedicated mental-health coordinator supports investigations, helps share information with mental health trusts, supports victims (including emergency workers), and provides specialist training for officers at all levels. WMP’s evolving approach has led to a significant increase in appropriate criminal justice outcomes in mental-health related cases: according to a recent force update, the rate of “positive outcomes” increased from around 2% to over 30%. These steps aim to balance compassion and care with justice and accountability — recognising that mental ill-health does not automatically excuse offending, but that responses must be handled sensitively and fairly.
Looking after the mental health of officers & staff WMP acknowledges its duty of care to officers and staff under health and safety legislation: this includes managing job pressures, preventing unacceptable demands, and providing support to those experiencing mental ill-health at work. As part of that support, WMP staff have access to counselling, therapy, and wellbeing programmes via partnerships such as with St Michael’s Lodge — including therapy sessions for issues like stress, PTSD, bereavement, and other mental health challenges. In July 2025, WMP staff gained access to a nationally provided confidential crisis line (via the National Police Wellbeing Service), offering 24/7 support for officers suffering mental health crises or suicidal thoughts. This internal focus on wellbeing helps safeguard those who are often first responders to trauma, stress, and distress.
Challenges, limitations and the importance of partnership Adopting a more nuanced, partnership-driven response (like RCRP) is not without challenges: Mental health crises are often complex: deciding whether police should attend requires careful assessment of risk, vulnerability, and available alternatives. WMP’s policy notes that police may not always be the best or most appropriate responders. There remains a reliance on robust cooperation between police, health services, local authorities, and voluntary organisations to deliver timely, compassionate support — especially in the face of rising demand and stretched mental health services. Reporting rates for incidents within mental health settings remain low; in some areas, only a small fraction of assaults or incidents are ever brought to police attention. These realities underscore why policing alone cannot be the default mental-health crisis response — and why partnership, investment, training, and community support remain vital.
What this means for people in the West Midlands If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, calling 999 will still result in an assessment: police may attend if there’s immediate danger or serious risk, but in many cases they may instead facilitate contact with appropriate mental health or social care services thanks to the Right Care, Right Person policy. For those working in mental health settings, or for emergency workers, WMP aims to ensure fairness and accountability in investigations when incidents occur — while also understanding the role of mental health in criminal justice. WMP recognises police officers themselves are human — subject to trauma, stress, and mental health burden — and offers internal support, counselling and crisis services for its personnel.
Conclusion: Policing that respects mental health As we observe Mental Health Awareness Week, the evolution of how West Midlands Police handles mental health matters provides an encouraging model. Through specialist training, collaborative triage, and the Right Care, Right Person approach, WMP is working to make sure people in crisis get appropriate support — not stigma or criminalisation. At the same time, the force recognises its responsibility to support its own officers and staff, understanding that caring for others begins with caring for those who serve.
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