UBCM RESOLUTION - AMENDMENT TO THE BRITISH COLUMBIA MENTAL HEALTH ACT

UBCM RESOLUTION

AMENDMENT TO THE BRITISH COLUMBIA MENTAL HEALTH ACT TO RELIEVE OFFICERS FROM ATTENDANCE AT HOSPITALS

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL

WHEREAS Section 28 of the British Columbia Mental Health Act specifies a police officer should accompany persons to hospitals with apparent mental disorders and acting in a manner likely to endanger the safety of themselves or others;

AND WHEREAS the opioid and mental health crisis in British Columbia communities has resulted in an increase in the number and length of times police officers are immobilized to the service of the greater community to sit in hospital waiting rooms while accompanying apprehended individuals until they are seen by a physician;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM call on the Provincial government to amend Section 28 of the British Columbia Mental Health Act so that trained hospital staff or other trained resources such as commissionaires can relieve police officers of the responsibility of attending hospital emergency departments with apprehended individuals.