Analysis: The government has proposed legislation banning police cells as a place of safety for those detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, but with just 163 health-based places available and over 30,000 people detained under the Act, Daniel Moloney of the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice at Northampton University examines the impact the legislation could have on policing.

OPINION: The latest @wecops chat discussed a new report by Zoe Billingham of HMICFRS which looked at how effectively police respond to and support people with mental health problems. Sgt Caroline Hay summarises the discussion and the learning from it.

ANALYSIS: The latest in our Report Watch series, summarises the findings of a report by HMICFRS’ Policing and Mental Health Report, Picking Up the Pieces, published last month (Nov 27). We look at the impact on policing, recommendations as well as stakeholder and media reactions.

ANALYSIS: In the second of three blogs on mental health triage, Daniel Moloney of the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice at the University of Northampton explores how good practice and effective policies are developed on the ground

ANALYSIS: Mental health makes up an increasing part of demand on the police service, and various methods are being trialled to try to improve the police response, including triage. In the first of three blogs, Daniel Moloney of the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice at the University of Northampton examines factors affecting demand.

Opinion: To coincide with National Mental Health Awareness Week, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and national mental health lead for Police and Crime Commissioners Matthew Scott details some of the work going on nationally and in Kent to try to reduce the time police officers are spending dealing with cases involving mental health.

Opinion: CCTV of a mentally ill man being sprayed with capsicum spray, pinned to the ground by six police officers and hit with a baton in Melbourne quickly went viral, appalling many including Dr Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron of the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies who works closely with the Australian police. She asks what can we learn from this.

Interview: Four years ago, Matthew Ellis, Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, commissioned a report that would redefine the police service's entire approach to those with mental health problems. Now, just as legislation comes into force banning the use of police cells as a place of safety for under 18s and restricting their use for adults detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mr Ellis says there remains unresolved issues and it's time to revisit the debate.  

Opinion: In 2014, Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis first commissioned a report into incidents police attended that involved someone with a mental illness. Three years on and Staffordshire has made considerable strides in reducing the number of those suffering mental ill health in custody, but there is still much to be done.

Analysis: Body worn cameras are becoming the new normal in policing, but when it comes to attending incidents involving those with mental health problems, officers need to be aware of the challenges. Police Inspector Michael Brown, author of Mental Health Cop Blog, explores the issues. 

PCC INTERVIEW: A third of police time in Kent is spent dealing with mental health issues, a pattern replicated across the country. Kent PCC Matthew Scott is the deputy portfolio lead on mental health for the national Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). He speaks to Syreeta Lund about some of the challenges.

OPINION: Katie Kempen, Chief Executive of the Independent Custody Visitors' Association, looks at mental health issues in custody and how the ICVA can help to protect those in mental health crisis who find themselves in custody.

OPINION: Are Triage schemes doing their job in mental health emergencies? Serving police officer 'Nathan Constable' warns police forces could be heading down a dead end track with no way to turn around.