Police to conduct psychiatric test on serving officers, recruits

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase on Tuesday disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is considering conducting psychiatric test on recruits and serving officers.
Arase at the Nigeria Police Force Health Policy Revalidation meeting in Abuja, explained that the initiative became necessary following incidents of indiscriminate use of firearms by personnel of the force.
According to him, the Force was also considering the idea of a Trauma Centre for its officers because of the nature of their job.
“The Police should be concerned about the mental health of officers,” he said.
He noted that inadequate health workers, poor funding, infrastructure deficit and management deficiencies were some of the factors affecting Force’s medical unit.
“The development of any policy document entails an inclusive approach with relevant stakeholders.
“You all have been invited here today to review the Draft Health Policy for the Nigeria Police Force,“he said.
Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, promised the ministry’s assistance in the implementation of the policy.
He commended the police management for developing a health policy for its officers and their families.
The Nigeria Police Medical Service was established in 1975 with the primary mandate of providing health care services to serving, retired, family members of the force and detainees.