The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Ahmed Sanusi, has assured officers and men of the command that the ongoing mental health and medical assessment exercise is confidential and not intended to punish or stigmatise anyone.

Sanusi gave the assurance on Friday during the assessment exercise for personnel of the FCT Command in Abuja.

The CP said the exercise was designed to evaluate the health and stress levels of officers and provide professional medical advice where necessary.

He said, “We are conducting medical evaluations that cover everything about the health status of officers and men of the FCT Command and also to evaluate their mental status and see their stress level so that the medical team can advise accordingly.”

According to him, the exercise would become a continuous programme under his leadership.

“At least under my watch, I will ensure that every officer and man is being routinely checked. We are not going to do it just one stop. As we conclude, we will allow for a little time after which we assemble again and still screen them because medical issues at times are spontaneous,” he said.

Sanusi explained that the screening could be conducted bimonthly or quarterly, depending on recommendations from medical professionals.

He noted that the command had already begun gathering useful data from the exercise to improve planning and support for personnel.

“With what I have seen so far, I am very satisfied. Officers have been screened and we are getting good data that we can use in proper planning and also come up with a lot of advice that can assist the force,” he added.

The CP further disclosed that the exercise commenced with personnel under the Metro Area Command and would subsequently extend to other area commands across the FCT, including Life Camp, Kubwa and Kuje.

Speaking on concerns that some officers might feel uncomfortable participating in the assessment, Sanusi said the command had carried out sensitisation to assure personnel that the exercise was purely for their wellbeing.

“The intention is not punitive. The intention is not to humiliate them, degrade them or disgrace them,” he said.

He stressed that all medical results would remain private in line with professional ethics.

“Whatever we are doing, even though we are doing it collectively as a force, the result of it is individual to each of them. Nobody will be allowed to know what the result of the other person is. It is private and within the code of conduct of the medical practitioners,” the CP stated.

Sanusi also revealed that many officers had earlier requested free medical check-ups even before the programme was formally introduced.

“Most of these officers and men had already met the various area commanders to request free medical check-ups that would ascertain whatever problem they may be having,” he said.

He added that officers diagnosed with stress-related challenges would receive counselling and guidance on stress management.

“Each and every one of them that does not know how to manage stress level will now be educated on how to manage effectively their stress level,” he said.

Recall that on April 30, the CP ordered a comprehensive psychological and mental health assessment for all police personnel in the command.

The directive, according to him, is part of efforts to strengthen discipline, professionalism and operational efficiency within the force. (The PUNCH)

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