In the line of duty: Police trained on mental health cases
Five officers injured in mental health incidents since 2022
Oshana regional governor Hofni Iipinge has urged police officers to rethink the use of handcuffs as the first or only response to someone in the throes of a mental health emergency.
At least five police officers in the Oshana region have sustained serious injuries since 2022 while responding to incidents involving individuals in mental health crises.
In response, efforts have been launched to strengthen law enforcement training on how to handle situations involving individuals experiencing mental health problems.
This was revealed by Oshana regional police commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, during the launch of a three-day mental health training workshop for officers in Oshakati on Tuesday.
The training, a collaboration between Oshana police and Circle of Hope Private Academy, comes amid growing concern over the frequency and severity of such encounters.
“We have seen an increase in cases involving mentally disturbed individuals, many of which have ended in tragedy for both civilians and officers,” Sakaria said, adding that these are not just figures but incidents that affect those acting in the line of duty.
Complex duty
Sakaria cited several examples, including one at Ehafo Lyakandenge village in the Uuvudhiya constituency, where a police response ended fatally, resulting in the death of a patient with a mental illness.
The incident drew public criticism and raised concerns within the police force.
In another case, a special reserve force member was severely injured with a panga while intervening in a similar case at Omaalaala.
More recently, two officers from Ondangwa Police Station were attacked in Okasheshete, Okatyali constituency, by a person struggling with mental health issues wielding a panga. One officer suffered a serious head injury, while another sustained a deep arm wound and a fractured bone.
“These are not just statistics, they are real people and officers affected while carrying out their duties, often without proper training or resources to handle such complex cases,” Sakaria said.
He stressed that police responses can no longer rely solely on instinct or force and must instead be guided by professional, informed and humane approaches to mental health situations.
New tactics
Speaking at the same occasion, Oshana regional governor Hofni Iipinge echoed the importance of equipping officers with tools to address these situations with intention and understanding.
He said as leaders, everyone's safety must be prioritised, including those experiencing a crisis, the community and the police officers.
“This training is not just professional development, it is a life-changing and, at times, life-saving mission,” Iipinge told a room filled with officers, healthcare professionals and local leaders. “We must move away from the idea that handcuffs are the first or only solution to someone’s pain.”
He emphasised the growing intersection between mental health and public safety, urging officers to differentiate between criminal behaviour and mental health crises. “Understanding mental illness is not about being soft, it’s about being smart,” he stressed.
“It’s about using your authority to de-escalate, not just detain.”
Deploy kindness
Iipinge noted that while officers are not expected to become mental health professionals, they are empowered to respond with awareness and humanity. He encouraged officers to ask questions, challenge assumptions and engage with mental health experts throughout the training.
The governor called on the government to back such initiatives with tangible support, including more mental health resources, expanded crisis intervention teams and ongoing, mandatory training for police officers across all regions.
- [email protected]
In response, efforts have been launched to strengthen law enforcement training on how to handle situations involving individuals experiencing mental health problems.
This was revealed by Oshana regional police commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, during the launch of a three-day mental health training workshop for officers in Oshakati on Tuesday.
The training, a collaboration between Oshana police and Circle of Hope Private Academy, comes amid growing concern over the frequency and severity of such encounters.
“We have seen an increase in cases involving mentally disturbed individuals, many of which have ended in tragedy for both civilians and officers,” Sakaria said, adding that these are not just figures but incidents that affect those acting in the line of duty.
Complex duty
Sakaria cited several examples, including one at Ehafo Lyakandenge village in the Uuvudhiya constituency, where a police response ended fatally, resulting in the death of a patient with a mental illness.
The incident drew public criticism and raised concerns within the police force.
In another case, a special reserve force member was severely injured with a panga while intervening in a similar case at Omaalaala.
More recently, two officers from Ondangwa Police Station were attacked in Okasheshete, Okatyali constituency, by a person struggling with mental health issues wielding a panga. One officer suffered a serious head injury, while another sustained a deep arm wound and a fractured bone.
“These are not just statistics, they are real people and officers affected while carrying out their duties, often without proper training or resources to handle such complex cases,” Sakaria said.
He stressed that police responses can no longer rely solely on instinct or force and must instead be guided by professional, informed and humane approaches to mental health situations.
New tactics
Speaking at the same occasion, Oshana regional governor Hofni Iipinge echoed the importance of equipping officers with tools to address these situations with intention and understanding.
He said as leaders, everyone's safety must be prioritised, including those experiencing a crisis, the community and the police officers.
“This training is not just professional development, it is a life-changing and, at times, life-saving mission,” Iipinge told a room filled with officers, healthcare professionals and local leaders. “We must move away from the idea that handcuffs are the first or only solution to someone’s pain.”
He emphasised the growing intersection between mental health and public safety, urging officers to differentiate between criminal behaviour and mental health crises. “Understanding mental illness is not about being soft, it’s about being smart,” he stressed.
“It’s about using your authority to de-escalate, not just detain.”
Deploy kindness
Iipinge noted that while officers are not expected to become mental health professionals, they are empowered to respond with awareness and humanity. He encouraged officers to ask questions, challenge assumptions and engage with mental health experts throughout the training.
The governor called on the government to back such initiatives with tangible support, including more mental health resources, expanded crisis intervention teams and ongoing, mandatory training for police officers across all regions.
- [email protected]
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