COPS ON SUICIDES: WE’RE BULLIED AT WORK

MANZINI - Police officers have identified workplace bullying as a significant contributor to mental health issues and rising suicide rates within the force.

This revelation came to light during a mental health awareness programme organised by the Ministry of Health’s Non-communicable Diseases, Injury and Mental Health (NCD IMH) Department. The event, held at the Manzini Library, provided a platform for law enforcement officers to discuss the challenges they face, including the impact of workplace bullying on their mental well-being. Participants spoke on the need for a supportive work environment and access to mental health resources to address these issues.

By acknowledging the prevalence of workplace bullying and its detrimental effects on mental health, the police service can take steps to create a more positive and supportive work culture. A police officer highlighted the issue of bullying within the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), echoing a question posed by parliamentarians: “Who polices the police?” The officer said bullying from superiors often goes unaddressed, leading to frustration and despair among officers. He added that this issue is a significant contributor to mental health problems and increased suicide rates within the force.

The officer’s concerns underscored the importance of addressing workplace bullying within the police service. A supportive and respectful work environment is crucial for the mental well-being of officers, enabling them to effectively perform their duties and contribute to public safety. The police officer further explained that verbal and emotional bullying from superiors is a significant contributor to mental health issues among officers. He expressed concern that the slow response to complaints about bullying could lead to increased suicide rates within the force.

Another officer echoed these sentiments, highlighting the tragic consequences of workplace bullying, including the loss of lives. The officer spoke of the need for swift and effective action to address these issues and prevent further harm to officers’ mental well-being. “Our supervisors are bullying us and when we report them to superiors, the process of addressing the concerns moves at a snail’s pace or nothing is done at all. As a result, officers end up considering committing suicide,” the law enforcer said.

Unaddresssed

The police officer emphasised that the lack of action on workplace bullying contributes to deteriorating mental health among officers. He highlighted that verbal and emotional bullying is a significant issue and that if it remains unaddressed, officers may seek mental health treatment. Another officer expressed concern about the high number of police officer-deaths linked to workplace bullying. He criticised the slow response and lack of action from superiors in addressing these issues. Additionally, an officer pointed out the stigma surrounding mental health within the workplace. He noted that raising concerns about mental health often leads to suspicion and judgement from colleagues.

Yet another police officer noted that superiors seem more focused on productivity than the well-being of their subordinates. The officer shared a personal experience, where they were reprimanded for allowing an officer to visit their sick father. Tragically, the officer’s father passed away shortly after. When the officer reported the loss to their superior, they were met with silence and avoidance. Another officer alleged that some superiors intentionally set officers up for failure by providing unclear instructions or unrealistic tasks, often as retaliation for rejecting advances. These actions can have a significant negative impact on officers’ mental health and job performance.

Transferred

The officer further highlighted that some officers are transferred to ‘blacklisted’ departments, where they are underutilised and often resort to unproductive activities like gambling and excessive alcohol consumption. Participants at the workshop suggested that similar programmes be held more frequently to address ongoing mental health issues within the police force.
They also proposed that these workshops should be extended to senior officers, to educate them on mental health and workplace dynamics. Additionally, officers raised concerns about nepotism in hiring practices and unfair housing allocations. They emphasised the need for transparency and fairness in these processes to prevent further frustration and demoralisation.

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