A gun in the hands of a frustrated and depressed person is dangerous. It is even dangerous when an armed police officer is mentally unstable and armed.
Reports that a number of our police officers have engaged in shootings that have resulted in killing of their families, colleagues or at times innocent members of the public, appears to be on an upward trend.
A recent incident where an officer killed his partner and five other people before turning the gun on himself should jolt policy drivers within the security sector to quickly open up the conversation about mental health and interventions within the disciplined officers. It adds up to the bizarre reports associated with officers contributing to the loss of innocent lives instead of guarding life and property.
There is no doubt that officers encounter many challenges as they risk their lives in the line of duty. The nature of police work often springs up diverse challenges that can easily become a source of stress and abrupt behaviour change.
Police servicemen and women have access to guns as their tools of trade and it becomes dangerous when an armed officer goes on a shooting spree for whatever reason.
What has been the significance of police reforms? Most reforms were geared towards giving security agents human faces by improving their working environment and integrating security personnel with the public. There have been reports that a good number of officers may be grappling with stress management.
There is an urgent need to strengthen training in stress and anger management as well as basic counselling skills and on top professional ethics. Strengthen internal structures dealing with stress management among officers.
Questions have even emerged on whether police officers have compressive cover for psychiatric cases. Finally, there is a need to review the police and military training curriculum because of strengthening skills in Psychological counselling.
There is also a need to carry out a national assessment of occupational stress and strengthen internal structures to act as a fall back for affected officers to avoid or slow down the growing challenge that has led to loss of lives.
