Devon and Cornwall Police claim a fifth of their time is now spent dealing with people who have mental health problems.
They say shrinking budgets are causing tension between police forces and healthcare providers.
The force's Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton says it's unacceptable.
Devon's NHS struggling to afford redundancies
Efforts to save a record £256 million are being hampered
Call for Torbay memorial bench price hike review
Bay's charges even outstrip Westminster's
Tamar Tag admin fee to rise by 150 percent
It's a "common misconception" that it's profit making
£60k to connect one home to fibre broadband
Connectivity issues prompts council to lobby for progress
Devon charity recieves money from Ricky Gervais
It's part of a wider £2.5 million donation
Exeter to get 'urgent' solar panels
The council will borrow money to fund them
