Covid taking ‘brutal toll’ on cops

MENTAL health is taking a “brutal toll” on police officers, according to the LibDems.

A total of 126,114 officer and staff days were lost due to mental health issues between January 2019 and September 2020, a freedom of information request by the party found.

LibDem MSP Liam McArthur said the force should repeat its staff survey, which has not been carried out since 2015, amid concerns their mental health has been “sidelined”.

Only 8% of responses to that survey believed the police force was genuinely interested in staff wellbeing.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has said he expects the next survey will take place this month.

Mr McArthur said: “These figures show the brutal toll that mental ill-health is taking on the national force.

“We expect the police to deal with vulnerable people in their moments of greatest need, yet the Scottish Government has failed to provide officers with the support they need to manage their own mental health.”

Responding to the LibDems, Police Scotland’s director of people Jude Helliker said: “There is a range of support mechanisms available to our people, including an employee assistance programme, a wellbeing champion network and post trauma support.

“The chief constable has committed to bring forward additional initiatives to support wellbeing, including the rollout of mental fitness resilience and coping strategy training.

“We are fully committed to our people survey and will support participation.”