Photo: RNZ
A welfare organisation for police officers says the incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among police officers is on the rise, and police management is neither recognising the condition nor responding to it. A 2021 independent survey of serving and retired New Zealand police officers found 43 percent of respondents believed they had PTSD to some extent, while 14 per cent had clinically significant PTSD. The side effects can be depression, emotional numbing and suicide. Allister Rose is a former police officer awarded the New Zealand Bravery Star for his involvement in the shooting and capture of a rampaging offender in the hills above Lower Hutt 2007. He was diagnosed with PTSD and set up the Hatikvah Blue Hope Foundation two years ago to advocate for the wellbeing, health and safety of serving and retired police officers. Former Police Commissioner Mike Bush is Ambassador for the Foundation. Allister Rose speaks with Kathryn Ryan, with Police Superintendent Mel Aitken, Director - Safer People.
