My first ever report on the Today programme the BBC’s flagship current affairs show. : A policeman’s conviction for manslaughter this week for killing footballer Dalian Atkinson in a mental health incident has put the spotlight on how police handle mental health. The police deal with over half a million calls outs to mental health incidents every year. And a number of forces saw big increases in call outs last year because of the lock downs and virus. These figures are surging even higher now. Many of these incidents are connected to alcohol and drugs. The police watch dog has called for greater scrutiny on use of Tasers after what it described as disproportionate use against black men and those with mental health issues. 

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