MONTEVIDEO, July 1 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Ten Uruguayan police officers have committed suicide so far this year, a problem that persists despite complaints from police unions.
The rate of suicides in the police forces in recent months has been on the rise. In May, three officers killed themselves, and the same number so far in June.
The phenomenon has been described within the force as a “silent pandemic”.
The incidence of suicides in the police is three times higher than in the general population. While the latter is 21 per 100,000, that of the police is 63 per 100,000.
Police unions have repeatedly called for measures to prevent such unfortunate events.
The Sifpom submitted an “Integral project of psychological health and suicide prevention in the police” to the Ministry of the Interior.
The National Association of Officials of the Ministry of the Interior and the Single Union of Police Officers of Uruguay also participated in the elaboration of the proposal.
The Mental Health Commission, which is working on the issue, is expected to deliver its first report to Interior Minister Luis Alberto Heber next week. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA
