Officers distrust SAPOL’s employee assistance section over fear confidential information will be shared, inquest hears
A coronial inquest has revealed the “tensions” that are driving traumatised police officers to avoid seeking help, amid fears their confidential therapy notes could be used in disciplinary proceedings.
Police officers are fearful to engage with the force’s in-house psychological support system over concerns their confidential information could be accessed by their supervisors and used against them.
A coronial inquest sparked by the tragic death of Senior Constable Benjamin Warren, who took his own life at work in 2022, is examining how to support traumatised officers who are reluctant to accept mental health help.
On Friday, the former manager of SA Police’s Employee Assistance Section (EAS) Chief Inspector Lucas Stubing admitted there are “tensions” stopping officers from engaging with the organisation’s services.
One of the major complications explored was the Police Complaints and Discipline Act, which can force the EAS to share their medical records with the Internal Investigation Section.
During cross-examination, the Deputy State Coroner Ms Naomi Kereru asked if SA Police had “certain powers that can be utilised to obtain … confidential psychological notes for the purposes of a disciplinary action”.
Inspector Stubing said: “Yes”.
When asked if this “power” only applies to EAS worker rather than all external health providers; he said “my understanding is yes, that’s correct”.
Inspector Stubing went on to concede this mechanism has been used once but insists it was an unusual and specific set of circumstances.
“I appreciate that that single incident where that occurred has created a perception that is challenging us,” he said. “Even isolated instances like the one we’re talking about can cause a ripple effect and damage our credibility.
“We are trying to get on the front foot with the workforce to demonstrate that confidentiality is a cornerstone of the service we provide.”
However, Inspector Stubing added the mechanisms that allows the EAS to share information with the Police Medical Officer or the Chief Psychologist are critical to workers’ safety.
“There is that tension involved but it is absolutely necessary because the issue with police officers – is they do carry a firearm everyday – and have access to firearm,” he said.
“If we manage that risk using our processes we actually tend to the needs of the employee and provide the support they need to get better.”
The inquest come after Constable Warren took his own life in the administration office at the Police Academy in February 2022.
The handwritten note found next to Constable Warren’s body stated “no diagnosed depression/PTSD etc/no diagnosed mental health” but the inquest will hear evidence that “there is a high likelihood that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the time of his death”.
During Constable Warren’s career, he was contacted by SA Police’s psychological services numerous times but he declined help.
The inquest continues.
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Originally published as Officers distrust SAPOL’s employee assistance section over fear confidential information will be shared, inquest hears
