NSW Police pushing to overcome ‘stigma’ to support its force after multiple horror incidents

Police officers have been put to the test this week, with a mass murder in Bondi and an alleged terror attack-turned riot in Wakeley – but now it’s the mental health team’s turn to perform under pressure.

NSW Police were called in to subdue a mob riot in Wakeley last Monday after a bishop was stabbed in an alleged terrorist attack. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Police officers have been put to the test this week, with a mass murder in Bondi and an alleged terror attack-turned riot in Wakeley – but now it’s the mental health team’s turn to perform under pressure.

It’s not just the likes of hero Inspector Amy Scott – who shot dead Joel Cauchi – that needs support, or even the officers that tried to save bleeding victims, nor the triple-0 operators who took the panicked calls from bleeding victims.

So many have been affected by this week’s unimaginable pile-on of death and violence.

But the man at the helm of the NSW Police Force’s wellbeing and support services is confident his team has the skills and resources to support every single cop and civilian employee, no matter what their level of need.

Inspector Amy Scott, the police officer who shot and killed Joel Cauchi, the man responsible for the horror stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Dean Smith doesn’t claim to have all the answers and concedes mental health is a complex issue not just for the police but for everyone.

An added complication is a past culture of “toughen up” and “just get on with it”.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Dean Smith. Picture: AAP

“We are certainly not ignorant nor naive to the challenges that we face,” he said.

“We have improved but unfortunately there is still a level of stigma that surrounds mental health, both in the workforce and in society, but as an organisation we are fighting very, very hard to ensure that we get this right.

“And there is no doubt that we have come a long way. In nearly 36 years of policing there has been a huge evolution, and that evolution continuing is absolutely critical.”

People at the flower tribute inside Westfield Bondi Junction one week after the horrific stabbing attacks. Picture: Tim Hunter

The NSW Police Force doubled down on its commitment to better support its workforce through its program that now includes having 20 clinicians embedded in country and city stations across the state.

The Force is working to employ another eight clinicians in the coming months.

The $79 million PULSE program also includes police having access to 24 online support, psychiatrists and psychologists, chaplaincy, family support co-ordinators, even nurses, dietitians and fitness trainers on the biggest spend on welfare.

The goal is to stop the disturbing rate of police suicides and the alarming exodus of officers on stress leave, while attracting the right people and retaining officers in the job they chose to make a difference and keep communities safe.

“The reality is it’s not a job for everyone. There are amazingly rewarding days and there are definitely challenging days,” he said.

Mental health workers outside Bondi Junction Westfield on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

In tragedies like Bondi and Wakeley, it's the time “after the noise”, as the dust settles, that can prove the most trying.

“That’s why we have rolling support, it doesn’t stop, we have a wide variety of help and support available, from 24-hour phone support, to police psychologists, psychiatrists, our chaplain and peer support programs,” he said.

“Our welfare response matches operational response. We have plans in place, resources in place and training in place, to make sure our response is proportionate and appropriate and I am confident we achieve that.”

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Originally published as NSW Police pushing to overcome ‘stigma’ to support its force after multiple horror incidents