medica Liberia and Liberia National Police Collaborated to Deliver Stress-Trauma Sensitive Training for LNP Officers - September 11, 2024 - FrontPageAfrica
by Contributing Writer · FrontPageAfricaShare
FacebookTwitterLinkedInPinterestEmail
In a significant step towards enhancing the mental health and well-being of Liberia’s law enforcement officers, the Liberia National Police (LNP) collaborated with medica Liberia to deliver a two-day Stress-Trauma Sensitive Approach (STA) training. This initiative, led by Inspector General of the LNP, Gregory O.W. Coleman aimed to equip officers with skills to manage stress and trauma-related issues they encounter on the job.
The STA training held on August 29th and 30th at the LNP headquarters brought together officers from the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), Police Support Unit (PSU), and Patrol Unit. Through this collaboration, the Inspector General demonstrated a commitment to improving mental health support for the police force, which is crucial for maintaining their effectiveness in high-stress environments.
Speaking on behalf of the participating officers, ACP Susie T. Telleh, Head of the Women and Children Protection Section (WACPS), expressed gratitude to IG Gregory O.W. Coleman for initiating the efforts and collaborating with medica Liberia to conduct the training for the Liberia National Police.
“This is a very meaningful opportunity for LNP officers. These officers hear survivors’ stories every day, which can be quite overwhelming. Training like this not only helps them better understand and handle these situations with care but also supports their own mental health and well-being”.
“I believe more sessions like this, for a larger group of police officers, are necessary, as this is a crucial aspect of our work.”
The training introduced self-care strategies and trauma management techniques to help officers maintain a healthy work-life balance, reduce burnout, and prevent compassion fatigue and secondary trauma. Interactive sessions encouraged officers to share their personal experiences and challenges in managing stress, and they were trained to recognize early signs of burnout, including persistent exhaustion, frustration, and loss of motivation.
Speaking with Officer Lawrence Vodee Carter, HR for the ERU, he emphasized the importance of the training for police officers.
“This training is very much appreciated. As officers, we learn many things during our initial training, but the knowledge of how to handle cases while being sensitive to the situation is something new to me”.
“After this training, I feel confident in applying the stress-trauma approach to my investigations, which I believe is incredibly important.”
This collaboration is part of an ongoing partnership between the LNP and medica Liberia aimed at enhancing the capacity of police officers to address SGBV and other social issues affecting communities effectively.
The Inspector General is setting a new standard for law enforcement in Liberia by prioritizing the mental health of officers. medica Liberia’s role in facilitating this training reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting the government’s efforts.
medica Liberia, formerly Medica Mondiale Liberia, is a non-governmental women’s rights organization working in Liberia. The organization works with survivors of Gender-Based violence and provides a holistic stress and trauma-sensitive approach that incorporates health, legal, and psychosocial approaches based on feminist principles.