Police take steps to tackle stress

MUMBAI: Police commissioner M.N. Singh’s plan to reduce policemen’s work hours from 12 to eight has highlighted the stressful conditions under which Mumbai’s police labours.
The police chief said this was just the beginning of a drive to combat stress in the 40,000-strong city police force.
Sources said there were plans to improve basic amenities at police stations, improve medical facilities, organise more health camps and modernise police stations.
Four or five stressed-out Mumbai policemen commit suicide every year.
Stress-related ailments have killed more than 25 serving policemen in the past three years. Several inspectors and constables have died of heart attacks while on duty.
“We work under great pressure and our job is demanding and uncertain,’’ said joint commissioner (law and order) Javed Ahmed. “Also, public expectations from the police are high.’’
During festivals like Ganeshotsav and Navratri, which last for more than a week, constables often work for more than 36 hours at a stretch.This may take a heavy toll on their health. Stress can cause hypertension, joint pains, high blood pressure, diabetes as well as paralytic strokes and heart attacks.That isn’t all.
“Policemen may also experience lack of concentration, resulting in their making errors while passing orders or taking important decisions,’’ an officer stated.
Assistant commissioner Ramakant Padwal at the crime branch listed these as some of the sources of stress faced by his men.
“We cannot promise our family members that we will join them for dinner. At times, we have to run from one end of the city to another and also go on outstation trips, chasing criminals.There is also a risk involved as the criminal could be armed.’’
Besides the routine work, officers often face stressful situations because of harassment from superiors.
It may be recalled that inspector Mahadev Jadhav (58) had committed suicide in the Kalachowky police station in January 1997 after being allegedly harassed by his deputy commissioner.
In his suicide note, Mr Jadhav had accused DCP Surendra Kumar of levelling false acusations against him. Mr Kumar, who was later transferred out of Mumbai, had refuted the allegations.
Psychiatrist Harish Shetty says that the Mumbai police has adopted an ad hoc approach to stress.
“Whenever some inspector or constable dies of a heart attack, the senior IPS officers start a series of health camps and programmes for policemen. But this stops after some time,’’ Mr Shetty said.
He said that that the city police should have a long-term perspective about combating stress. “The reduction in working hours is a good decision. But there is also a need to improve working conditions, offer better salaries and stop political interference in police work,’’ he said.“That will reduce the stress levels drastically.’’
Senior inspector Arun Borude, whose job involves tackling gangsters, had another solution. “We have accepted the fact that our job is stressful,’’ he said. “Instead of complaining, we can overcome mental stress if we start enjoying our job.’’