Stress and anxiety in officers was compounded during the pandemic - Qiliho

Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho says stress, burnout, exposure to traumatic experiences and post-traumatic stress can impact police officers’ mental health.

He adds prolonged working hours also poses a real threat to officers’ fatigue and overall concern for service delivery.

Qiliho made these comments at the Law Enforcement Wellness Summit facilitated by the USA Office of Special Investigations, 6th Field Investigations Region at the Hilton Resort in Nadi.

He says routine service delivery during the pandemic and interactions with the general public when COVID-19 remained largely unknown compounded the level of stress and anxiety in officers in the front-line.

The intent of the summit is to give Fiji Police leadership the tools to build law enforcement mental health resilience.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Fiji Charge d Affaires Tony Greubel says the US Government values the partnership between the two countries and the Wellness Summit marks the resumption of capacity building assistance following the COVID-19 lockdown.

He says they know the daily sacrifices of the Fiji Police can come at a cost.

Greubel adds the selfless service officers provide can have consequences in their personal lives, and hope that discussions today will empower them to better care for themselves and their families.