How the Police Psychological Services Department helps officers develop the tools to thrive both on and off duty, through in-house psychological services and paracounselling support.
By: Amanda Wong
It was early in her career that Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC) Tay Wee Li learnt the importance of a listening ear.
“As a young Team Leader and paracounsellor, I assisted a fellow officer who was juggling family and financial responsibilities,” she recalled. “Besides being the sole breadwinner for her family of four, she was also coping with the poor health of her parents and taking care of her brother, who had special needs.”
DAC Tay spent time with the officer and shared the resources that were available with her. “I encouraged her to utilise our dedicated paracounsellor support and counselling services,” she said. “These ultimately enhanced her overall mental well-being, and she was able to address and overcome her challenges.”
A Helping Hand in Difficult Times
For 30 years, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) Police Psychological Services Department (PPSD) has served a vital role for our officers, committed to safeguarding their mental well-being and fostering a safe and open environment where they can reach out for psychological support.
Ms Ho Hui Fen, a Principal Psychologist with the PPSD, emphasises the importance of the psychological support that the PPSD provides. “Policing work is inherently tough due to its operational nature, which encompasses factors such as a demanding work environment, shift duties and a certain level of public scrutiny, among others,” she explained. “Our officers are only humans, and they also experience personal struggles outside of work – relationship woes, family burdens and so on – just like everyone else. That's where psychological support becomes crucial.”
A Multifaceted Approach
The PPSD takes a multifaceted approach to ensure that officers receive the support they need. Firstly, it checks on the morale and well-being of officers via regular ground sensing efforts such as employee engagement surveys and morale sensing exercises.
Helpful resources for officers are further integrated within basic and milestone training modules, while regular Force-wide broadcasts keep them informed about wellness-related topics and readily available support options.
These support options include the 24/7 PPSD staff counselling helpline and the Whole-of-Government counselling helpline and services, both of which offer real-time support.
Confidentiality and Safety First
Another integral pillar of the SPF’s support system are the paracounsellors who provide peer counselling for officers. Dedicated paracounsellors are present in all Police units and departments, while PPSD psychologists and Home Team psychiatrists offer professional in-house counselling.
For the PPSD, counselling extends beyond offering psychological support. It also seeks to empower officers to tackle personal challenges head-on by ensuring that they have the tools to thrive, both on and off the job. “Our counselling sessions are strictly private and confidential so officers are able to share their struggles openly,” said Ms Ho. “The only exception is when there’s an imminent risk of harm to themselves, others or the organisation. In such cases, we navigate carefully, prioritising safety while respecting privacy.”
According to Ms Ho, officers may also be redeployed to more suitable support roles instead of frontline work. “Ultimately, decisions are made with the rationale that safety comes first, and every decision is explained to the officer with their best interests at heart,” she said.
Friends Within the Force
Officers who need support also have access to a network of fellow officers who’ve been trained to help them. “Paracounsellors are Police officers for Police officers,” affirmed DAC Tay, Deputy Chairperson of the Paracounsellor Committee.
The SPF’s paracounselling network has over 460 paracounsellors and aims to promote resilience and mental well-being efforts among officers. Trained in basic counselling skills, paracounsellors offer peer support and guidance, helping fellow officers effectively navigate the challenges of the job, together.
“Before taking on their duties, paracounsellors undergo a rigorous five-day selection and training course that equips them with basic counselling skills. Subsequently, paracounsellors may undergo training in other key skills such as psychological first aid and financial counselling,” DAC Tay explained. “Paracounsellors also engage in continuous learning, honing their skills and knowledge through other counselling-related courses and peer exchanges.”
For DAC Tay, the lessons from her earliest days as a paracounsellor remain as heartfelt and true as ever. “I still remember the officer with family issues that I was able to help,” she recalled. “One of the most profound takeaways for me was her heartfelt gratitude; she described our paracounselling sessions as me walking together with her, during a difficult period in her life.”
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