Following the increased suicide cases among police officers, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) James Oppong-Boanuh has issued a direct order to the senior officers of the Ghana Police Service to consider listening to both the family and personal life challenges that may be affecting the subordinate staff working under them. The IGP has further revealed that the recent rise in suicide cases among police officers has forced the police service to relook and assess its mental health structures.
“At every level of Policing, Station officers, Unit, District, Divisional and Regional Commanders should give an opportunity to their staff to speak to their supervisors about work and personal challenges and also listen to the officers they work with,”
Oppong-Boanuh has also given the alternative of speaking to members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) or writing to the Inspector General of Police and his team to the officers who may find it difficult approaching their commanders. In such cases, the commanders are obliged with forwarding the messages to the respective offices. Besides, the IGP has stressed the importance of taking officers through psychological training saying that his administration has prioritized partnering with psychological and mental health organizations to ensure the mental wellbeing of personnel in a bid to curb the increased suicide cases in the police service.
“We are also in discussion with the Ghana Psychological Association to operate a sustainable mental health system to boost welfare support for personnel and their immediate family members. We are prepared to partner with organizations to ensure the mental wellbeing of personnel”, assured the IGP.
The IGP Orders Superior Officers to Help Curb the Rampant Suicide Cases among the Police Officers
