Mental health staff say police refused to help with violent patient
Staff at a Wellington mental health facility report that police officers refused to assist with a violent patient who was damaging property and threatening staff. Both Health NZ and the police are currently reviewing the incident.
Why it matters
The incident highlights systemic tensions between mental health service providers and law enforcement regarding the management of high-risk patients.
Staff at a mental health facility in Wellington say police officers stood by while a violent patient tried to break down a door and threatened to hurt them.
They say a small team of staff twice took turns holding the door to the man's room shut, once for more than an hour, and when police arrived they refused to intervene.
Te Whatu Ora and NZ Police are reviewing the incident, with the latter saying they would not comment on claims the officers wouldn't step in while the review is underway.
Health NZ confirmed in a statement that an incident took place on 30 May at the Te Whare Ahuru Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Hutt Hospital.
"A distressed patient acted violently towards staff and caused property damage," said Health NZ central mental health and addiction regional director Paul Oxnam.
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