The Counseling Unit of the Ghana Police Service is to be expanded to the regional police commands.
The unit was established by the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to provide psychological services and assistance to police personnel and their dependents, and to prepare personnel for retirement among others.
It was established following reports of increasing incidence of depression and suicide among police personnel.
The Director of the Counseling Unit of Ghana Police Service, ACP Dr. Philis Osei told Starr News at the sidelines of a workshop in Koforidua that the unit has observed marital and relationship issues, alcohol addiction, depression as some of the challenges some personnel is battling with.
“The issues that we have observed as counseling unit cut across all spears of lives. some people have marital challenges, alcohol dependency, administrative matters, and even the recruit some enter the service with a lot of high expectations, and then when they meet the reality some of them get shocked and so all these issues are some of the matters we have observed and so our challenge now is to expand the unit to the regions so that we have focal persons in each region to help them”.
She said the Inspector General of Police has been very supportive and provided logistical support to the unit however noted that the unit is understaffed due to inadequate professional counselors and psychologists in the service.
ACP Dr. Philis Osei said one other issue the Police administration has taken serious notice of is the incidence of the murder of young female police officers by their jilted partners.
“So for our sister’s shine your eyes don’t take all your money and give it to a man to marry you. If he loves you he will be there for you. I want to even put on records that our Director General Welfare, DCOP Madam Habiba is serious about this matter and with time she will go together with the counseling team, go round to tell our women these things so that they will also look out for what to do and what not to do”.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
