A critical incident investigation is under way after tactical officers entered a Springfield home late on Wednesday and a 49 year old man died at the scene.
Police say officers went to a house on Wells Street at about 3.30pm on 7 January to check on the welfare of the occupant after concerns were raised about his wellbeing.
A mental health clinician attended with officers from the Brisbane Water Police District but police say the man became armed with several items and acted in a threatening way.
NSW Police said officers tried a range of options to detain the man including capsicum spray and a Taser before he went back inside the house and a siege developed.
A perimeter was set up and specialist resources were called in including police negotiators and the Tactical Operations Regional Support Unit.
Police allege the situation escalated about 9.25pm when the man ignited an aerosol can and tactical officers entered the premises.
Officers then tried to restrain him but police say he attempted to stab an officer multiple times with a sharp object believed to be a shard of glass.
Officers discharged their firearms and the man was shot. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene but police say he died there and one police officer was treated for a minor injury.
A critical incident team from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad is leading the investigation into the circumstances with the matter to be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
Assistant Commissioner David Waddell told reporters multiple officers fired shots during the confrontation. He said that “Very sad for the family and also very tough for our police.”
The presence of a mental health clinician at the initial call out highlights the growing use of joint response models designed to give police on scene access to specialist assessment and alternative pathways to care.
NSW Health has previously trialled and expanded programs that pair police with mental health clinicians including the PACER model which is intended to provide earlier assessment in the community during crises.
The latest death is also likely to sharpen an ongoing policy debate about who should be the default first responder when someone is in acute psychological distress.
A NSW parliamentary inquiry into mental health care has previously urged the state to move toward more health led crisis responses and improve how police are trained and supported for mental health incidents, amid rising demand for assistance.
NSW Police has also acknowledged in an internal review that pressure on frontline officers has increased as police are called more often to incidents involving emotional distress and mental health crises and recommended closer work with health agencies on models of response.
If you or someone you know needs urgent help, the NSW Mental Health Line is available 24 hours a day on 1800 011 511 and Lifeline can be contacted on 13 11 14.
