Africa-Press – Namibia. The police in the Oshana region has reported that five police officers have sustained injuries in the line of duty since 2022 while responding to incidents involving people experiencing mental health crises.
This was revealed by Oshana regional commander commissioner Naftal Sakaria at Oshakati on Tuesday during the launch of a three-day police training programme focused on mental health approaches.
The training, which concludes on Thursday, is being attended by 40 officers from various departments.
Sakaria said two officers were critically injured in these incidents and three suffered moderate injuries.
He noted a concerning rise in cases involving people suffering mental episodes in the region in recent years.
“These encounters have at times led to tragic outcomes for both the individuals involved and the police officers,” he said.
Sakaria recalled a particular incident at Ehafo Lyakandenge village in the Uuvudhiya constituency where police responded to a report involving a mentally ill person.
Sakaria said the situation escalated, resulting in the person’s death.
Another case saw a member of the Special Reserve Force at Omaalala severely injured with a panga while attempting to manage a similar incident.
“More recently, officers from Ondangwa Police Station responding to a call at Okasheshete in the Okatyali constituency were attacked by a mentally ill individual wielding a panga, leading to one officer suffering a deep arm wound and a bone fracture, and another sustaining a serious head injury,” he said.
These events, Sakaria said, have caused significant public and police concern.
He said the incidents underscore the reality faced by officers who are impacted while performing their duties, often without the necessary tools, training, or knowledge to safely de-escalate situations involving mental illness.
Speaking at the same occasion, Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge said understanding mental illness is not about leniency, but about intelligence.
He noted the importance of officers being able to differentiate between rebellious behaviour and disorientation, and to use their authority to de-escalate situations rather than simply detaining individuals.
Iipinge affirmed the government’s commitment to support these efforts through action, including increased investment in mental health resources.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
