Police suicide rates have decreased and more officers are voluntarily seeking Employee Health Wellness (EHW) interventions for the challenges they face, both at home and in the workplace.

It is a matter of fact that policing remains a very difficult and challenging duty.  Our officers are continually exposed to traumatic and stressful events.  In many instances such members are not emotionally and psychologically-equipped to handle those stressful situations which frequently lead to catastrophic impact on their mental wellness with unfortunate outcomes.

This was revealed by the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa in a Parliamentary reply on whether he has found reasons for the recent high number of fatal encounters at the hands of members of the SA Police Service (SAPS), with specific reference to their general welfare, psychological state and the nature of and availability of consultation processes.

He stated that the general welfare and the psychological state of police officers indicate a police service that is fit and well except for few individual cases which get referred to the Disease Risk Management programme for further handling and support.  These welfare and psychological reports were supplied by POLMED and the Health Risk Manager, Alexander-Forbes.

“I have already through a number of different forums emphasised the need to have a concerted focus on the psychological welfare of SAPS officials and we have begun engaging external role players with a view to assisting us in this regard.  However, the violent nature of crime in South Africa and advanced criminal activities and more research needs to be done in addressing police psychological needs in this regard.”

The Minister further outlined the nature of the consultation process and availability within SAPS.  He said SAPS uses an integrated approach to EHW, serviced by qualified, experienced and registered psychologists, social workers and chaplains. There is a clearly outlined referral process between the different professionals and between EHW and medical schemes, guided by the needs of the employees and their immediate families.
“Members also attend pro-active programmes presented by EHW practitioners based on identified needs prioritised from recurring themes and trends.  There is also a Psycho-Social Network of external providers that offer psycho-social interventions to members and their immediate families.”

He added that members have access to a 24 hour call centre services where one on one telephone counselling and individual trauma debriefing is done. Call centre staff are also available and attend to face-to-face walk-in cases, offer standby telephone services 24/7 and facilitate referrals based on employee needs.
“Groups are dealt with through group trauma debriefing, team building interventions and organisational diagnosis processes.  But it is my view that we need to look at how we can enhance this programme,” stated the Minister.

As the Ministry of Police we want to highlight this reality to all South Africans so that as they criticize police, they should do so having a comprehensible understanding of environments within which police operate.

For enquiries, please contact:

Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police 082 045 4024
NATIONAL MEDIA CENTRE
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service
Office:+27 12-4006579 /6629 /6576
Fax: +27 12 - 400 7018