9 - Policing mental health in the community - NSW Police officers are called to assist in thousands of incidents each year involving persons experiencing mental health crises. To protect the person experiencing mental illness, along with their friends and family members, NSWPF is committed to delivering officer and recruit training in evidence-based programs designed to reduce the risk of injury to police and the broader community. To ensure that NSWPF continues to respond to mental health incidents in the community using best practice methods, we are interested in research identifying and evaluating new innovations in policing mental health and how collaboration with other specialist agencies may complement existing practices.
NSWPF is particularly interested in research into:
9.1 What current or future strategies can be used to reduce the increasing number of mental health/dementia interactions with police?
9.2 What are the most effective strategies for reducing incidence of mental disorder (e.g. PTSD, depression, anxiety etc) among frontline law enforcement responders?
9.3 Within law enforcement, is there a link between the physical work environment, employee mindset/engagement and long-term sick leave?
9.4 Research exploring how effective the preventative workplace wellness services and supports are in mitigating the development of psychological conditions that require time off work.
9.5 Investigate and compare the effectiveness of existing support programs, resources, and services available to police officers during transition out of the police force. Including the identification of factors that contribute to a successful transition to life and employment outside of the police force for officers that have been indicated for medical retirement.