A “SUCK it up culture” within Victoria Police has led to a mental health crisis that can only be repaired by a substantial investment and cultural change.
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A damning report that saw 450 officers interviewed, has highlighted the trepidation many officers feel about reporting mental health strain, fearing that coming forward would lead to them being stripped of operational duties.
Victoria Police said it will unequivocally take on all 39 recommendations from the ground-breaking review, including developing a trust-fund for peer support services for all ex-police officers.
Former veteran officer Gary Chandler quit the force after he felt he was left with nowhere to go. As Creswick’s officer he had been exposed to decades of trauma within a tight-knit community.
He accessed peer-support programs but did not find them particularly useful.
Mr Chandler said if the police force managed to “mirror, or even improve the work the defence force does” with its veterans – it would be of significant benefit to all officers.
But Mr Chandler remained adamant the culture within the police force needed to change for police to willingly access support services. He said “the fear” that admitting to trauma would impact an officer’s career progression “was definitely there”.
“There’s always been a certain stigma (attached to mental illness),” Mr Chandler said.
“(The review) certainly seems like a positive step forward.”
The recommendations include wide-ranging education and resilience programs that start the day the police join, as well as the establishment of a Department of Veteran Affairs-style organisation for former police.
Commander Shane Cole, the head of the force’s health and safety division, said police had been proactive when it came to physical injuries, but obviously needed to attend to mental health in the same way.
Ballarat Superintendent Andrew Allen said the Ballarat police service area would follow directives from the mental health review and be involved in the state-wide response.
Previously, Supt Allen told The Courier policing was a difficult job requiring members to deal with traumatic situations.
He said it was also important that members look out for their colleagues and where someone may appear to be struggling, encourage them to seek out the appropriate support services.