Dr. George Leveridge (centre), consultant psychologist for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), converses with Dr. Peter Phillips (left), Minister of National Security, and Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, at yesterday's launch of the JCF's Medical Services Branch telephone helpline for rank-and-file members. The launch took place at the Police Officers' Club, Hope Road, St. Andrew. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Commencing June 15, the 8,000 rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will for the first time have access to a 24-hour counselling telephone hotline.

The hotline is being put in place by the JCF in collaboration with the National Health Fund and the Pan American Health Organisation.

Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, who launched the hotline yesterday at the Police Officers' Club on Hope Road, St. Andrew, said it was necessary because of the stressful conditions under which police personnel work.

"It is indeed a great pleasure to stand here to add yet another welfare issue to the rank and file where they can find comfort and solace and don't internalise and damage the already fragile body," he said.

"We on a daily basis are on the front line where we face fire. Our working conditions are not the best," he pointed out. "We have crime scenes where officers visit on a daily basis, the blood and the gore that they see and they have repeated visits from time to time, this adds additional stress and more stressful application."

Trained professionals

He said, through the JCF's Medical Services Branch, members of the force and their families would be able to access counselling from trained professionals on a 24-hour basis.

The commissioner said 17 counsellors have been trained to man the helpline. He also stressed that the calls would be handled in a confidential manner.

"I know that police officers are afraid to speak but here you are speaking to confidential counsellors. Those calling the helpline will not be required to provide any personal information," he said. "All you will have to do is talk. Speak of your problems, speak of the challenge you face and the counsellors will advise accordingly."

Dr. George Leveridge, consultant psychologist at the JCF, said the hotline would provide counselling on a variety of personal and professional issues from competent, empathetic and supportive counsellors.

For his part, National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, said the establishment of the hotline was part of the JCF's modernisation programme. He also urged the law officers to make use of the service.

The service will also be available to members of the Island Special Constabulary Force, district constables, civilians who work with the constabulary, and family members of all groups named above.

The toll line to access the hotline after June 15 will be 1-888-2-Get-Help.