The Tribune

By PACO NUNEZ Tribune News Editor POLICE officers may soon have to undergo mental and physical fitness tests to ensure they can deal with the stress associated with the job, Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest revealed. He said additional training and evaluations will hopefully help curb "excessive actions" by officers and reduce the number of complaints against police. "Policing in the Bahamas today is challenging. Our police officers work in a highly charged, highly stressful environment, one that is fraught with danger and uncertainty. The stakes are always high," he said. Mr Turnquest said he has held discussions with Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade about ways to ensure the mental and physical health of the men and women on the force is protected. He said while a number of measures have already been put in place in this regard, more could be on their way very soon. The move is part of a plan to ensure officers operate at optimum capacity, given the stressful nature of the job, the minister said. "Policing can take a significant toll on the officers of our force, on their health - both physical and emotional - and in their personal and family life. "I am ever mindful of those health consequences that can come to our dedicated and hardworking police officers and I encourage all officers to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and take care of themselves and their families," Mr Turnquest said. "Additionally, a mentally and physically fit officer will respond more appropriately in a variety of situations that he/she may encounter, which would lessen or eliminate excessive actions and complaints, therefore reducing liability claims," Mr Turnquest said. The minister said officers should also develop their own ways of staying prepared for the job. "The police force performs regular maintenance on firearms, vehicles and other equipment and therefore officers ought to recognise the importance of a regular maintenance programme for themselves," he said.