The recently conducted psychological analysis test of Mumbai Police was though peculiar but logical for the questions that it asked. The test aimed to check the stress-signal going red among the policemen and had separate sections for personal, behavioural aspects including an exclusive one devoted solely to drinking habits.
The drinking habit section was aimed to know the behavioural pattern of cops before and after drinking. Among several others, this one had questions like do you abuse or assault any of the family members after alcohol consumption.
The test also checked the constabulary on EQ level by asking questions like do you suppress your emotions, and if yes, then how? Another question was do you feel there are too many deadlines at work? Out of all the questions there was one which raised some of the eyebrows as it asked do you still enjoy sex?
While some of the female officers found answering this and similar other questions a little embarrassing, they said they still answered it with utmost honesty.
Some members of the male fraternity held different opinion. They thought that the test could have asked them about their financial issues and salary problems which as per them is the major cause of stress and other problems, but seeing the paper they were taken by surprise when they had to face personal questions like do you feel like crying and how do you kill your anger.
Though hesitant initially, but the 250 cops still attempted the test which was laid in their mother tongue Marathi for making it easier for them to relate. In a way, the test caught hold of them from all corners. From addictions to hobbies to professional deadline stress, they were checked on everything.
Though, it has been assured by the police leadership that there won't be any transfers based on the test and that it is aimed only to assist those needing help in dealing with stress, yet most of them who attempted it doubted the aim. They felt that it could hold repercussions from the top brass.
One of the senior officers participating in the exercise, Deven Bharti, JCP (Law and Order) said, “A larger message needed to be sent to the force – that they should fill the forms with honesty and that they should not think their careers would be affected if they speak up against senior officers”.
As told by Bharti, the exercise was structured in such a way that the counsellor was provided direct access to the policemen after a form will be assessed.
”Counselling or even a pep talk will now be provided, if required,” said Bharti.
He said that the survey was only meant to check if any of the police personnel needed counselling and that the police leadership will not check it. The cops will be directly contacted by the psychiatrists if a need of remedy or counselling will be seen.
The project was learnt to be conceptualized last November, however, was put on priority this month after assistant sub-inspector Dilip Shirke shot senior inspector Vilas Joshi dead at the Vakola Police Station and then killed himself also.
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Additionally, laughter therapy and special counselling sessions have also been conducted for a group of officers to cope with the increasing stress level.
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