The country's top cop says dealing with thousands of mental distress call-outs each year is getting in the way of fighting crime and it's time for health services to step up.
In their briefing to the new police minister, the top brass has outlined plans to "transition" from a police-led response for people in mental distress to a multi-agency approach within five years.
The Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey has now floated the idea of having a specific mental health option when people call 111.
Ruth Hill reports.
