Glen is a highly respected international consultant in Behavioural Health Crisis, with expertise in research, systems-based approaches, and training development across policing, healthcare, and judicial settings.

GLEN (DASH) BLACKWELL

Grad Cert Business. UNDA.  M. Leadership (High Distinction) UNDA. PhD (Candidate) ECU.

About BHCSystems

Glen’s contributions to policing and mental health.

With over 35 years of experience in the Western Australia Police Force, Glen has served in frontline and inquiry team roles across both metropolitan and regional stations settings.

Glen was instrumental in the creation of the WA Police Force’s Mental Health Co-Responder Teams, designed to collaboratively address active Behavioural Health Crises. He also established the agency’s first full-time Mental Health Crisis Response Trainer position. In this role, he oversaw the accreditation and delivery of Behavioural Health Crisis training for both police officers and clinicians. Additionally, Glen led the revision and delivery of de-escalation training programs for recruits and in-service personnel, ensuring the adoption of best practices in crisis response.

About BHCS: Glen Blackwell

key contributions

People at Conference

Behavioural Health Crisis Systems

Glen undertook a six-month role as Team Leader of Western Australia Health’s Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL), where he helped implement the recommendations of the NEXUS independent systems review to improve 24/7 statewide mental health crisis call support.

People at Conference

Behavioural Health Crisis Systems

In recognition of his work, Glen was awarded a Winston Churchill Trust Fellowship, which enabled him to travel to Canada, the USA, and the UK. During this fellowship, he was embedded with several Behavioural Health Crisis programs, exploring diversionary practices, non-law enforcement responses, and proactive High Utiliser teams. His findings, published in his report Reducing Recidivism in Behavioural Health Crisis Cycling have informed best practices internationally.

People at Conference

Behavioural Health Crisis Systems

Glen has presented his work at major conferences, including the Crisis Intervention Team International conference in Detroit, USA, and the ANZPAA #PC23 policing conference in Melbourne. He has been published by Policing Insight and the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association and presented a webinar for the International Co-Responder Alliance.

People at Conference

Behavioural Health Crisis Systems

Glen’s expertise in policing and Behavioural Health Crisis management was the subject of his Master of Leadership (High Distinction) at the University of Notre Dame Australia. His Churchill Fellowship also led him to contribute to the joint publication Policy Futures: A Reform Agenda by the Winston Churchill Trust Australia and the University of Queensland, where he was able to present his report Simplifying Access to Behavioural Health Crisis and Suicide Support at Australian Parliament House to national leaders.

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