Police are exhausted, stressed & depressed
New report reveals 4 out of 5 officers are feeling the pressure
THE stress, exhaustion and depression experienced by police in Scotland has been highlighted in research compiled by a Canadian academic.
The study by Professor Linda Duxbury, from Carleton University in Ottawa, was sponsored by the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and surveyed officers in six divisions across Scotland in May, June and September this year.
It found almost four in five officers from just under 3000 responses reported a lack of numbers to do work caused daily difficulties or
BY LEWIS McKENZIE
stress several times each week, while 56 per cent of officers at all ranks said they either rarely or never received an uninterrupted break at work.
Just over two-thirds of officers said they experienced stress on a daily basis due to dealing with multiple competing demands.
Details of the study were outlined in a letter by SPF general secretary Calum Steele to Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie.
Rennie said: “This new research presents a devastating breakdown of the health of Scotland’s police officers.”
The Scottish Government said they supported police initiatives including an occupational health service and employee assistance programme to aid officers and staff in caring for their mental health.
It added: “A service-wide Wellbeing and Engagement survey will launch early in the new year.”
Police Scotland deputy chief constable Fiona Taylor said: “The well-being of our officers and staff is a priority and we have a range of support mechanisms in place.”