Police Information

A THIRD OF OFFICERS 'SEEK COUNSELLING'

Mon, May 21, 2001

Source:

A third ofofficers in Scotland's largest force received professional counselling in a 12-month period.

 

One in three officers in Scotland's largest police force received professional counselling in a 12-month period, a newspaper has revealed.

An internal Strathclyde Police report recorded that 2,316 officers out of 7,000 required help from the force's welfare unit, based at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Scotland on Sunday says the report states that 1,250 constables needed professional counselling for health-related problems; 60 for alcohol or drug dependency; 271 for relationship problems; and 170 for financial difficulties.

A total of 173 constables said police work was behind their problems; at sergeant level, 236 required help - 23 of them for work-related issues; while among inspectors and chief inspectors, 134 experienced problems - 11of them complaining about work.

A police insider told the paper: "There is a very serious problem with stress, and the majority of it has to do with bullying and mismanagement, rather than police work such as dealing with crime and accidents.

"Most organisations would expect one in seven or eight employees to need help, but the figure here of one in three is the tip of the iceberg. Some officers are worried that the welfare service is not independent, and others don't want to admit that they have a problem in the first place."

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said she could not access the figures today to comment on them. But she added: "From April, 2000, to March, 2001, the force set a sickness level for all employees of 5.18%.

"The actual figure reached was 5.07%, therefore, more than reaching our targets. The number of days lost due to sickness has also fallen by 8.15% compared to the previous year. "

The spokeswoman added: "Strathclyde Police remains committed to ensuring the health and welfare of every one of its employees is a priority."