Police revoke anti-depressant policy

The police have done a U-turn on the policy that barred potential new recruits who take antidepressants.

Earlier this year, the police said new recruits on anti-depressants could not join the force, a view the Mental Health Foundation slammed as unacceptable.

Would-be recruits needed to be both medication and symptom-free for two years before their medical suitability would be considered.

But police deputy chief executive of people Kaye Ryan said yesterday that a change in medical standards for applicants meant potential recruits on anti-depressent medication would now be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Any applicant who took antidepressants needed a report from a registered clinical psychologist, she said.

‘‘Whilst a stand-down period may still be imposed, it would be determined by an assessment of the applicant’s individual circumstances and medical history.’’

Applicants were required to list their prescribed medications and give medical history during the recruitment process but, until yesterday, those that took antidepressant medications were immediately barred.

University of Auckland Psychiatry Professor Robert Kydd carried out a review for the police. His report said a medicated person may make better judgments than someone with an untreated condition.

Ryan said the police were grateful for the review and took the mental well-being of officers seriously.

‘‘The nature of police work means officers can come across incredibly distressing and challenging situations, which might trigger mental distress,’’ she said.

‘‘Police support those staff who might be suffering and have a number of measures in place, such as welfare officers, Employee Assistance Programme and trauma referral following significant events.’’

New Police Minister Stuart Nash, who had initially voiced his support for the policy, said he welcomed the change of heart.

‘‘I think it’s a good decision and it’s an evidence-based decision.

‘‘Police have said they’ll view each application on a case-by-case basis and I think that’s the right thing to do.’’

Nash’s initial stance was based on ‘‘outdated’’ beliefs and, like the police, he had moved on from those.

‘‘After those comments [in support of the policy], I received quite a lot of criticism.

‘‘People sent me letters and research papers and I realised my attitude was based on an outdated view.’’

Leona Dinsdale, a mother-offour who is chasing her dream to join the police, said the move was positive.

Dinsdale was afraid she may have wasted $3000 on a police training course because she was taking anti-depressants.

She hadn’t heard of the policy that would have seen would-be recruits banned from the course. ‘‘I’m glad I said something.’’ Blenheim’s Glen Ross said he would reapply for the police after he was rejected from the recruitment process last year and banned from applying for two years.

Ross said he was happy the police had adopted a modern attitude to mental health and believed the case-by-case assessment was a fair decision by the police.

‘‘It’s pretty much what I asked for when I went through the process.’’

"The nature of police work means officers can come across incredibly distressing and challenging situations, which might trigger mental distress." Police deputy chief executive of people Kaye Ryan