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Policing stress is important for our cops
Regular counselling sessions may prove to be the solution for the increasing stress levels in the city's police force The most stressed out lot in Mumbai are probably our local policemen, who with the rising theft, terror threats, and all-night duty, have plenty on their plate. But what happens when a policeman is forced to pull that trigger and kill a perpetrator? The killing of Rahul Raj is the most recent example, but with encounters becoming the rule rather than the exception, are members of the police office offered an outlet to shed their excess baggage?
To tackle this issue, regular stress-relief camps, yoga sessions and other such programmes are organised for the city police on a regular basis. But counsellors say that more needs to be done. Seema Hingorrany , clinical psychologist, says, "Regular counselling sessions would definitely help them deal with high stress levels."
Apart from the long hours of duty, a major cause for concern is that few policemen spend enough time with their families — a problem that is especially felt on festive occasions, where, more often than not, they have been roped in for extra duty.
Hingorrany recalls an instance when a policeman approached her for counselling: "He broke down during our conversation, saying that it was only because of his negligence that his son was performing badly in school." Policemen, too, believe that counselling sessions, and other such programmes, will go a long way in helping them deal with the nature of the job.
Suresh Khopade, additional commissioner of police (North Region), says, "We have regular yoga sessions, and at times also organise sessions with psychologists.
Personally, it has helped me a lot. And I really feel that there should be more such initiatives."
Such initiatives are open to officers of all ranks, and Khopade feels that they are essential for inspectors and sub-inspectors who are under constant pressure.
"Apart from counselling to combat personal stress, police personnel also need to be sensitised to the public," says Dr Kersi Chavda, psychiatrist, Hinduja Hospital.
"I think they should be taught to use the power of communication and persuasion. They should be more sensitive, especially while dealing with children," he says.
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