Cops in the line of fire, prone to physical, mental ailments

Political, professional pressure, working conditions put them at risk

Torn between professional ideals and political pressure, the Karnataka state police are prone to ailments -- some physical and mostly psychological -- say doctors.

While personnel in the lower rung are bogged down by pressure from seniors, senior officers are caught in a political web, explain doctors. Dr Ashok Pai, chairperson, Karnataka State Mental Health Task Force said that with a wide gap between public expectation and resources at their disposal, the police are agitated, anxious and apprehensive.

Dr Pai told Deccan Herald, “There is a constant clash between the Ego and Super Ego. Seniors keep exerting pressure on them. They are not allowed to perform independently. Politicians also play a role.”

Among the common illnesses seen in the police are depression, anxiety neurosis and phobias, he added. “Yet another cause for concern is ‘Hypochondriasis’, a condition where a person has imaginary symptoms like back ache or stomach ache,” said Dr Pai.

Anxiety among them, he said, could be a result of an unresolved conflict. “It could lead to distress, disgust, sleeplessess, and suicidal ideations,” he said. Among the most common disorders is also paranoia. 

Meanwhile, Dr Jagadish A, psychiatrist, Abhaya Hospital, explained that it was the lack of recreation and adequate exercise that result in physical and psychological illness among the police.

“They are mostly overworked. For instance, when the whole world is celebrating, they are expected to keep vigil. There is no balance between work, family and leisure for them,” he added. Unlike army personnel who at least have some entertainment in the form of sports, the police have none, he said.

Expressing concern about their working conditions, Dr Jagadish said, “Most of them have diabetes and hypertension. The traffic police are outdoors most of the time, exposed to dust and with no proper place to have food. They have no choice but to eat whatever they get nearby.”

Medical camps

Call them for a free medical camp and they seldom have time for it, said another doctor. “We visited many police stations and invited them for respiratory screening. Hardly anyone turned up. Asked why, they told us they did not get an off. A majority of them said they feared some serious illness and did not turn up.”