Stella Katsari, Deputy President of the Cyprus Psychologists Association, has called for a clear framework of continuous evaluation and support for police officers, particularly regarding the holding and renewal of firearms licences.
Her comments follow the recent incident in Limassol, in which a police officer shot and critically wounded his wife with his service weapon before taking his own life.
The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) asked Katsari to comment on the fact that psychometric testing in the police force is currently only carried out at the recruitment stage.
Katsari told CNA that the state should institutionalise a clear framework of continuous evaluation and support for police officers, particularly around firearms licensing, describing this as a necessary mechanism for prevention, strengthening professional competence and ensuring institutional accountability.
She said systematic individual and group psychological support was particularly important for police departments in contact with vulnerable populations, or exposed to traumatic incidents and distressing material.
Katsari told CNA that the more professionals are supported, the more their professional competence and quality of decision-making improve, protecting both themselves and members of the public.
She added that these services should be provided by professionals registered with the Register of Registered Psychologists, as set out under current legislation, to ensure a clear ethical and institutional framework of responsibility.
(information from CNA)
Read more: