New South Wales Police shot and killed a 49-year-old man on Darkinjung land in the Central Coast town of Springfield at 3.30pm on January 7.

The killing of a civilian having a mental health episode is just one such death among many since 2023, making it a key justice issue.

NSW Police said that officers went to the scene with a mental health clinician. The man was said to be “armed” with several items, including something spiky that he swung at them. Police used capsicum spray and a taser and he retreated into his home.

The police said they cordoned off the property and police negotiators and the Tactical Operations Regional Support Unit were called in. At around 9.25pm the man lit an aerosol can and police entered his home to restrain him. When he allegedly tried and failed to stab an officer with a shard of glass, he was shot.

Police did not explain why tactical police busted into the home of a man having a mental health episode, as he was not posing a threat to anyone.

The same question was asked at a recent coronial inquiry into a similar police killing of a person, during a mental health check on the NSW Central Coast, in July 2019.

The alternative to police being first responders to mental health incidents is well known.

NSW Police has indicated it does want an alternative first responders to mental health crises........

© Green Left Weekly