Victoria police seek in-house psychologist, occupational health nurse to support officers' mental health
The Victoria Police Department says it's hoping to improve supports for its officers by adding an in-house psychologist and occupational health nurse to its team.
Police Chief Del Manak says officers are increasingly exposed to traumatic incidents and that the job has grown "more challenging" over the years.
"There's no doubt about it, the stress and the trauma that officers are experiencing out on the road is quite significant, and it's not going away," he told CTV News on Monday.
"It can be extremely draining and extremely exhausting to be helping people day in and day out and being exposed to the levels of trauma that our officers and staff are exposed to," he said.
The police department is now looking to hire an in-house psychologist, who would connect officers with relevant supports and accompany police in the field.
By joining officers on calls, the psychologist can see what frontline policing entails and recommend services and supports that would best suit officers' needs, according to Manak.
The police department also hopes that having an in-house psychologist will allow staff to develop a more trusting relationship with them, and know that help is readily available.
Manak says policing culture has previously dismissed mental health issues as a "sign of weakness."
"[The psychologist] allows us to normalize the conversation to say it's OK to seek professional help," he said.
Meanwhile, adding an occupational health nurse to the police department will allow off duty officers to better understand what resources are available to them if they are removing from work stress exposures, like PTSD.
"It's really important that we invest in our people and [that they] are healthy – healthy to go to their families, healthy so they can maintain positive outlooks when they come to work," said Manak.
The new positions are estimated to be up and running in early 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.