Punjab police not to deploy personnel with medical issues, women with kids under 5 on frontline Covid duty

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 5

Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta, on Tuesday, barred all police personnel with medical issues, as well as women police officers with children under 5 years of age, from frontline duty, in a bid to protect them from undue exposure of Covid-19.

The decision has been approved by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who has asked the DGP to ensure all protective and welfare measures for the COVID-19 frontline warriors.

The DGP said there had been concerns expressed on this count during several calls received on the newly-launched tele-counselling facility for anxious police COVID-19 warriors and their families.

At present, there are over 48,000 police personnel engaged in curfew enforcement and relief measures across the state. The facility was launched on April 20 to equip police officers and their families with additional information and skills to cope with the psychological aspects of the COVID-19 duties, including a high degree of risk of contracting the infection.

Several calls were received regarding issues of health and safety of women police personnel who were either lactating mothers or mothers of children under age of 5 years, who needed the mother’s constant presence.

Separation from young children was causing hardship, worry and anxiety, especially in cases where the husband and wife were both members of the police force, said the DGP, adding that in response to these concerns, it was decided not to deploy such women on the frontline duty.

Similar apprehensions were forthcoming with respect to personnel suffering from various medical issues, especially respiratory distress, which could aggravate their risk factors, he added.

Necessary directions have been issued to Range IGP/DIGs, Commissioners and SSPs to ensure that police officials with pre-existing medical issues, and women police personnel with children below 5 years of age, are not posted on frontline duties in view of their peculiar and specific circumstances.

Giving details of the tele-counselling service, launched by Punjab police in partnership with Chennai-based NGO Mastermind Foundation, ADGP (Community Affairs) Punjab Gurpeet Deo said the foundation director, Col Thiagarajan, had offered to the state police the services of a panel of 10 trained psychologists, who had volunteered for this unique initiative.

Within two weeks of its inception, the app-based helpline has received and handled around 130 calls, of which 104 calls resolved through counselling whereas in about 23 cases, counselling is ongoing. The remaining cases pertained to administrative issues.

The app provides audio guided therapy, psychometric tests and also contains articles on mental health. It addresses common problems such as stress and anxiety, and includes training for developing mindfulness.

In addition, on the request of DGP Punjab, doctor members of the Punjab IPS Officers’ Wives Association (PIPSOWA) have also created an awareness video for Punjab police personnel and their families, which outlines the early warning signs of COVID-19 and the precautions which need to be taken to avoid contracting the virus.