Psychological support for the police officers should be improved

{image1}

“At the moment, there is public debate about the necessity of an adequate psychological support for the police officers. However, the debate does not meet necessary quality criteria. The main reason for this is the fact that this topic does not enter any discussion whatsoever until police officers start taking their own lives, or endanger citizens’ security with their actions, which is a consequence of inadequate psychological support”, said BCSP researcher Sasa Djordjevic at the conference in Media Center, on February 27^th, 2014.

As one of the problems identified after interviews with the managers at some police departments, Djordjevic stated out the fact that they either do not understand, or misinterpret the fact that they play a key role in giving psychological support to their employees. Moreover, the managers think that they do not possess enough knowledge to provide adequate psychological support to the employees. Djordjevic said that there are not enough psychologists in Serbia, and furthermore, the police department managers do not even know that there are available psychologists in the Ministry of Interior. As he said, one of the biggest problems is that police officers do not have the habit to talk to a psychologist. This is rather considered as the last possible option, when there is no other solution left.

BCSP stated its recommendations to the Ministry of Interior

BCSP Researcher-Associate Aurelija Djan stressed the lack of unified policy of dealing with stress as one of the problems in the Ministry of Interior. The first signs and symptoms of stress usually do not result in sending police officers to talk to the psychologist. BCSP Researcher-Associate presented some recommendations of an improvement at the psychological support for police employees. She emphasized the importance of the Sector for health care and psychological prevention at the Ministry of Interior in training the managers, as well as the necessity for increasing the number of psychologists in police, and the quality of communication between managers and employees.

“Psychologists are not the only ones who should take care of police officers’ mental health. The managers are equally responsible in this process. It is necessary to establish a successful human resources management system in the Ministry of Interior. Police managers are responsible for recognizing the signs of stress among their employees. However, the Ministry lacks adequate procedures to help the managers better understand their role in recognizing stress symptoms. These problems require commitment and constant work, before as well as after stressful situations”, Djan emphasized.

{image2}

Jan Litavski, from the Center for Development Policy and Cooperation, discussed the fight against organized crime in Serbia. He analyzed the legal framework and work of Serbian government institutions in charge of the fight against organized crime. Litavski believes that it is necessary to strengthen proactive investigation, and improve the cooperation and capacities of the institutions in charge, in order to improve the fight against organized crime. Research conducted has shown that Serbia lacks adequate coordination between the institutions fighting organized crime. Furthermore, he believes that it is necessary to strengthen the cooperation with the countries in the region, as well as at the international level.

The role of civil society organizations in the police reform is very important

Nevena Dicic Kostic,  from the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, spoke about the importance of the education of police officers about human rights. She emphasized that police is expected to be efficient, to use force less, and to be more accessible. These contradictory tasks require new guidelines for police officers education. Dicic Kostic emphasized that human rights education needs adequate support and needs to be implemented systematically. Also, police officers trainings require more practical examples and meetings with the members of marginalized groups.

Chief of the Law Enforcement Department at the OSCE mission to Serbia, Odd Berner Malme, pointed out the importance of the role of civil society in the police reform.

“Innovative role of civil society in the police reform process in Serbia is of major importance. This Collection is a very important document for the Ministry of Interior, police, civil society, democratic institutions, public policy creators, and all others included in the research of security”, said Berner Malme.

Text translated by BCSP intern Smiljana Sadzakov.