The experiences of police officers presenting with the symptoms of depression within the Gauteng South African Police Services (SAPS)

Abstract

The policing occupation is viewed and known globally as extremely high-risk and stressful work. The South African police context is characterised by high crime rates and constant organisational transformation that admittedly influences and dictates the meandering roles which police officers have to take. Constant exposure to the elements of critical incidents and trauma makes police officers susceptible targets to developing mental health problems such as depression. The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth understanding of the experiences of depression among police officers in the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the Gauteng province. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore those experiences. Purposeful sampling was employed to select four Black African male police officers. The data collection methods were semi-structured interviews and naturalistic observations to understand the subjective experiences of depression by police officers. The findings revealed a culture of silence on mental health, external interference and an environment filled with organisational challenges. They showed further that police officers suffer from a lack of concentration, absenteeism, irregular sleeping patterns, disruptive interpersonal skills, and displaced anger as outcomes of depression. Thus, the study supports the view that depression is detrimental both to the personal and professional life of police officers. Therefore, it is recommended that the focus be on increased educational awareness on mental health, more access to professional psychological help, and a more supportive managerial structure within the South African Police Services in the Gauteng province.