Help ‘troubled’ cops — report

Some police officers may need help and counselling, said the seventh report of the Police Complaints Authority dated May 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003. The document was laid in the House of Representatives on Friday. Under its 1993 Act, the independent authority takes complaints by aggrieved citizens about police misconduct, and monitors their investigation by the Complaints Department of the Police Service. The report noted complaints had increased in 2003 compared to 2002.

There were more allegations of battery - 286 cases (up by 154 percent); criminal damage - 149 (up 325 percent); failure to perform duty - 331 (up 45 percent); harassment - 554 (up 56 percent); impolite behaviour - 693 (up 40 percent) and wrongful arrest - 182 (up 102 percent). The Report dubbed these increases, “a cause for concern.” It said: “Particular attention should also be paid to the increasing number of complaints regarding categories such as ‘impolite behaviour,’ ‘domestic violence,’ ‘harassment,’ ‘battery’ and ‘theft’ which serve as indicators that there may be some troubled police officers who may need the services of an effective employee assistance programme.”

The report noted the Police Service had engaged a social worker, but said an employee assistance provider would likely achieve more lasting behavioural changes. “The authority reiterates its recommendation made in its first and second reports that an employee assistance programme be designed and implemented to suit the needs of police officers, given the demands of their jobs.” The report also suggested officers be trained to develop public relations skills.  “Such measures would enable them to provide a more humane service to, and earn the confidence of, members of the public.”