Should police be first responders during mental health emergencies?
After four fatalities in as many months, the families of some of the vulnerable people fatally shot by NSW police have united to call for an independent inquiry. Prominent lawyers and academics say it’s time for an alternative approach, where mental health specialists, rather than police, are sent as first responders. Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to Guardian Australia reporter Jordyn Beazley about how a series of fatal shootings could trigger a radical rethink of how NSW police respond to mental health emergencies You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport