PNP chief open to suggestion to subject cops to regular neuro-psychiatric exams

NATIONAL Police chief General Guillermo Eleazar said on Thursday that he is seriously considering suggestions on subjecting all members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to regular neuro-psychiatric tests.

“The PNP will study this recommendation of subjecting our personnel to regular psychiatric assessments or tests. Personally, I acknowledge that there is really a need to prioritize this given the nature of our duty,” he said.

The recommendation came following the recent killing of Lilybeth Valdez, 52, by policeman Hensie Zinampan in Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City, which was caught on video. The policeman has been slapped with criminal and administrative charges.

The call to subject policemen to neuro-psychiatric assessment was reinforced by a similar incident in December last year wherein Jonel Nuezca, then a policeman, shot and killed his neighbor in Tarlac.

While Eleazar sees the validity of the proposal, he also admitted that the health-care services of the PNP still has its own limitations.

“We should also need to take a look at the trauma risk management of our organization. However, I would also have to admit the limitations at present, in our health-care capacities and services,” he said.

“We will thoroughly study on how we can regularly conduct the neuro-psychiatric tests of all of our policemen,” the PNP chief added.

But until then, Eleazar said, police commanders “who observe signs of emotional imbalance or mental disorder on their men should immediately refer them for neuro-psychiatric evaluation, through their respective health units.”

“This way we can help them cope and heal and avoid being a danger to themselves and others,” he said.

Eleazar said they would explore possible partnerships with groups, institutions and facilities advocating the importance of mental health.

He said that aside from their physical health, policemen’s mental health should also be well taken care of.

“We will also assess if we could enter into partnerships with mental health institutions so that we can also take good care of the mental health of our personnel. It is not only the physical health that we should be taking care of so that we can fully serve the public, but also our mental health,” the PNP chief admitted.