Yesterday (4) began with reports that four individuals, including two police officers attached to the same Police station in the Moneragala area, had died in a series of shootings and suspected suicide which are believed to be connected. Investigations into the incident are underway, and the authorities are yet to find out what led to these deaths and whether they are in fact connected.

Regardless, law enforcement officials taking their lives, and similar occurrences with reports about personnel of the armed forces are not rare in Sri Lanka. During the past few decades, including in the post-conflict context, the country saw a number of incidents where such personnel had used their service weapon to harm others and themselves. Although individual investigations were reportedly launched into these incidents, there were no reports of long-term measures aimed at addressing this dangerous phenomenon.

While these types of acts are undoubtedly harmful, treating these incidents as mere results of uncontrolled feelings, only help to sweep larger issues at play under the carpet. While the recurrence of such crimes need to be stopped, in a context where such shootings, especially suicides, have become more common than before, the circumstances that lead armed personnel to use their firearms in such a manner need to be studied and responded to.

In Sri Lanka, the Police force is not known as the most public-friendly service, and the Police are generally viewed by the public as corrupt, insensitive, and prone to abuse of power. However, we need to be more open-minded, and acknowledge the fact that law enforcement officials are working under pressure and with limited resources. Their jobs are not easy. They work long hours, in environments with limited facilities, and with risks and challenges. Needless to say, police officers have families too, and the recent economic downturn has intensified the stress caused by these issues. It would not be an exaggeration to state that the job of many police officers and that of many in the armed forces are extremely stressful and uncomfortable, and in such circumstances, many become disillusioned and vulnerable. Let’s face it, given the current conditions in Sri Lanka, many are depressed and prone to take short-sighted decisions. Many police officers have difficulties in taking leave, due to prolonged deployments, and the wave of trade union action which has been ongoing. The Police, which is understaffed and poorly assigned to carry out their primary duty of crime fighting and maintenance of peace (a significant number are deployed to protect politicians, government installations and offices).

Taking into account similar past experiences and the prevailing socio-economic conditions affecting low-income and middle-income groups, the leadership of the Police and armed forces needs to take more proactive measures to address stress-related challenges faced by law enforcement and armed forces personnel. While improving mental health, anger management, and stress management-related aspects of the training provided to them, more steps need to be taken to constantly monitor their mental health status and to provide easily accessible mental health services in a proactive manner. At the same time, the authorities need to take steps, preferably awareness raising programmes, to address the stigma assigned to mental health-related issues. This sense of ‘shame’ is one of the main reasons that prevent people with mental health needs from coming forward and seeking the assistance that they need. In fact, this is a concern in general society as well. Further, the Police and armed forces should strongly consider establishing in-house or affiliated mental health services, and mandatory routine check-ups for officers who face stressful situations, or violence in the line of duty.

But, when it comes to stressful environments and the work strain that police officers are routinely subjected to, it must be noted that it is through the Police and the armed forces that the State practises its monopoly over violence and the threat of such. As such police officers are entrusted to carry firearms and deal with civilians under stressful situations. Therefore, there should be an established, well-resourced mental health tripwire, and easily access services for members of the Police and armed forces. Given that police officers routinely associate with the public, largely in situations where they have to enforce the law or contain a situation, and that they approach it carrying lethal firearms, addressing the stigma surrounding mental health issues within the Police should be a priority.

The relevant authorities should not make the mistake of waiting until things get out of hand, because it is more important to prevent such deaths than to find out why they happened after someone dies. At the end of the day, this is not just an issue that concerns the Police or armed forces personnel. This is a matter about the entire country, or the general public. These personnel work with and for the people, and one of their duties is to protect the people. In such a context, ensuring their mental wellbeing is an act that ensures the safety of the public.