Karnataka Police urged to hire mental health staff after Hulimavu constable death

The Karnataka State Police Complaint Authority has urged the State Police Department to deploy full-time psychiatric social workers across all district units to address severe stress and burnout. The proposal follows the recent deaths of multiple police personnel, including a 34-year-old head constable attached to the Hulimavu Traffic Police Station in Bengaluru.

In March this year, Head Constable HC Thippanna of the Hulimavu station died by suicide on railway tracks, reportedly leaving a note alleging domestic harassment. More recently, 37-year-old Police Constable Renuka Raj suffered a fatal heart attack while deployed on Muharram security duty near Arkera village in Devadurga taluk. According to Complaint Authority officials, these cases highlight the extreme psychological burden and health risks faced by officers.

Mohan Kumar Danappa, an official with the Karnataka State Police Complaint Authority, wrote to the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DGP & IGP) earlier this month to demand permanent mental health professionals within the force. Danappa stated that while the department focuses on physical health, there is a critical shortage of qualified resources for psychological support.

Currently, mental health initiatives in Bengaluru and other districts are largely limited to one-off stress-management workshops. Danappa explained that these sessions only offer temporary relief, as officers are immediately sent back to highly demanding environments. Police personnel regularly cope with long working hours, emergencies, public anger, and exposure to violent crime scenes.

The proposal to hire full-time psychiatric social workers has received backing from the State Committee of the Police Welfare Association in Bengaluru and is currently under official consideration. The initiative aims to help officers manage occupational stress, reduce manpower loss, and prevent family conflicts.

In response, Joint Commissioner (Administration) Kuldeep Jain stated that the department has trained psychiatrists in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) to conduct weekly sessions. Five teams currently run these programs across different divisions in Bengaluru, and distress helplines have been shared with the staff.

Additionally, forensic pathologist Dr. Dinesh Rao recommended that mental health assessments be made compulsory for all police personnel on a monthly basis to detect anxiety and stress early.