Cops take lessons to beat stress

NEW DELHI: City cops are back to school, literally . In a first, the men in khaki are being counselled by a panel of doctors to de-stress and be more sensitive to the problems of the people. Thirty policemen from different stations in southeast Delhi are part of the first batch, and they are trying to understand issues such as gender sensitivity.
“Maintaining a balance is extremely important as the policemen, all the time, deal with people who are already troubled and stressed.They go through tough times with constraints of not being able to go home and met their families often etc. Their response was overwhelming,” said Doctor Rachna Singh, lifestyle expert and psychologist at Artemis hospital, who is heading the panel of counselors holding the sessions. During the two-hour session, cops were asked about their problems, which were then conveyed to their bosses. The doctors also held sessions to help them improve their conduct. Dr Singh said that the sessions are turning out to be quite interactive.
“We hope the session will bring about a change,” said Ajay Chaudhry, additional CP southeast. To begin with 2 to 3 cops are being shortlisted randomly from each police station of the district and selected for the course. The initiative may be extended to all police stations over the year, an officer added.