04 Aug 2019

Special constables, like all police officers, are occasionally exposed to traumatic situations in the performance of their duties.

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said officers who were exposed to traumatic incidents were provided with counselling.  

Mr Molefhi, who was answering a question on behalf of defence, justice and security minister, said Botswana Police Service has established an Occupational Health and Safety Unit, whose mandate included traumatic post incidence stress disorder counselling.  

The service, he said, was  extended to all members of BPS, including special constables, who had been exposed to various traumatic situations.

He also said special constables conditions of service included dispute resolution, which were catered for in the Police Act. 

He said members of BPS were expected to follow established channels of communication in advancing their complaints, and that they could appeal decisions of the Commissioner of Police to the Police Council.

“This is a statutory body charged the service generally, or any of its members, which the Commissioner cannot successfully resolve," he said.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had wanted to know if the minister was aware that special constables were exposed to traumatic situations such as burying unidentified corpses that had remained for long in public mortuaries or found decomposed with no counselling offered. 

He also asked what was being done to provide counselling to special constables who undertook such, and if he was aware that special constables were not covered by any labour law in case of labour disputes. ENDS