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Most law enforcement officers shy away from seeking mental health assistance, which delays possible interventions, according to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja (pictured). The police boss observed that because of this sad reality and the prevalent challenges, mental health remains a pertinent challenge.

“Mental health is of particular concern to the National Police Service and to deal with it, the service has been undertaking deliberate measures by adopting a multi-pronged approach,” Kanja said.

The IG was speaking during a Mental Health advocacy event and the launch of the psychosocial support training programme at the African International University (AIU).

“Police work is a very noble career because you get to serve and protect humanity. However, the nature of police work as shown by research globally, is also very demanding and stressful,” the police boss observed.

Long-term trauma

Worldwide, police officers tend to commit suicide more than the general public. Kanja also stressed that though depression affects all people regardless of age or social status, officers report higher levels of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Police officers are constantly handling traumatic and disturbing scenes of crime and accidents that often leave them with long-term mental and psychological trauma,” he noted.

The launch was attended by the Internal Security PS Raymond Omollo, National Police Service Commission (NPSC) chairman Eliud Kinuthia and the Vice Chancellor of AIU Rev. Dr Nelson Makanda.

Kanja was accompanied by his deputies Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli, and the DCI boss Mohamed Amin.