Kelowna RCMP say a lot of police work nowadays 'is probably health work'

Kelowna RCMP say arrests under the Mental Health Act are on the rise across the city.

"Absolutely it is on the rise. We daily, multiple times a day... I don't have the exact numbers, but our percentages are on the rise when it comes to mental health calls. Not every person is apprehended," said Insp. Adam MacIntosh at a news conference Monday.

Police called that news conference to announce that Richard McCrea, 39, is charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault charges for allegedly stabbing a Kelowna RCMP officer on Saturday night.

RCMP say after McCrea stabbed the officer above the eye, he turned the knife on himself, resulting in non-life-threatening to his neck. McCrea was detained under the Mental Health Act.

MacIntosh says the increase in arrests under the Mental Health Act is in large part due to a lack of services for those in need.

"We are dealing with a greater number of individuals with complex issues often that relate to mental health, trauma, illicit drug use, and they are generally a product of support needed through health. They become a police issue due to a lack of services that exist within the community and I would suggest within the province," he said.

The Kelowna RCMP and Interior Health collaborate on the Police and Crisis Team, which pairs a mental health nurse with an officer. MacIntosh says that can help deescalate a situation.

"That can go a long way to mitigate people being arrested under the Mental Health Act, because we are not professionals that can assess whether or not a person is a danger to themselves. We can only make an evaluation to warrant bringing them before somebody."

In 2020 the commanding officer of the RCMP in the Southeast District called on Interior Health to expand the Police and Crisis Team program to around the clock in Kelowna and to all communities. Interior Health refused.

MacIntosh reiterated that request on Monday.

"Right now we are spending a lot of our time conducting police work that is probably health work."

In the early morning hours of Feb. 26, Harmandeep Kaur was murdered at UBC Okanagan while working on campus as a security guard.

Police arrested a suspect, who was working at the university as a night janitor, under the Mental Health Act.
Despite an arrest right after the incident, charges have yet to be laid.

McIntosh says the suspect remains in hospital.

"Our investigators continue to collect the information and evidence in support providing a disclosure to the crown to allow them to make an effective assessment as to whether or not there should be charges."

"At the same time there is a constant discussion that relates to the support of public safety in relation to this particular individual and I can ensure you that that conversation is at the forefront and the number one issue related to that investigation," he added.

The Kelowna RCMP said earlier this year that four of five recent homicides had major mental health concerns related to them.