Police have been criticised for the way they dealt with a suicidal man in Wellington

Officers picked the man up from his Lower Hutt home in October 2016 due to concerns about his attempts to end his life.

Police decided to detain him in custody for a mental health assessment.

He was evaluated as requiring frequent monitoring meaning at least five checks per hour.

But the Independent Police Conduct Authority says,he should have had constant monitoring - or even better been taken to hospital or been assessed at home.

The man was eventually was taken to hospital and remained in the care of mental health services for a month.

Police have accepted the findings that a District Custody Unit is not the right place for a person suffering significant mental distress.