Psychiatrists to help cops read criminals’ mind

 

 

What compels people to kill their near ones? What makes some people behave in a weird manner on road as they violate traffic norms? What are the reasons for people especially youngsters committing suicide? These and several other issues haunt police personnel while cracking crime cases. If the mindset and psychology of the individuals involved in serious crimes could be understood in a better way, then the serious crimes can be prevented, the suicides can be avoided. Considering all these and some other aspects, Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal has taken an initiative to pair with psychiatrists of Nagpur with whom a team could be formed for providing service and conducting outreach programme. Dr Singal feels, it will help in curbing crimes. Dr Singal had invited Psychiatry Society of Nagpur and convened a meeting with senior police officers including traffic, economic offences wing, narcotics, etc. During the meeting, Psychiatrists came up with valuable suggestions which could be implemented by both — police and the psychiatrists.

 

All psychiatrists from Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Datta Meghe Medical College (DMMC), NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences (NKPSIMS) and private practitioners, showed readiness to render their services for the larger benefit of the society. Sharing details of the meeting, Dr Sudhir Mahajan, Secretary of Vidarbha Psychiatric Association and Psychiatric Society Nagpur, told ‘The Hitavada’, “Our members gave a lot of suggestions. A easy-to-remember helpline number can be created where individuals who have developed suicidal thoughts would call. For example: Everyone knows emergency number 100, and if he/she calls, the police attending it can extend it to psychiatrist.” The topics discussed in the meeting by the police with psychiatrists included ‘Suicidal tendencies in teenagers and in adults’, ‘Runaway children from Home’, ‘Family violence and violence due to alcohol and drug addiction’, ‘Juvenile delinquency’, ‘Overall discipline in society’. In a letter sent to Psychiatry Society of Nagpur, Dr Singal has made his idea clear.

 

The letter points out, “The purpose of this initiative is to get the expertise and insights of psychiatrists to better understand the psychology and mindset of individuals involved in serious crimes and those attempting suicide. Together, we aim to plan effective remedies to critical crime and create a positive impact on the mindset of people towards life.” In cases of addiction, psychiatrists witness youngsters’ involvement. They need money to buy the products. Everytime they fail to get money from parents so they divert to criminal acts. During the counseling normally psychiatrists ask them the source fromwhere they get drugs or related items. Police have to take efforts finding out the source. The psychiatrists voluntarise to make that source available to police but with a caution of maintaining total secrecy and safety of their patients. This step was welcomed by the Top Cop.

 

The psychiatrists also showed willingness to conduct public forum at schools, colleges or with social organisations to make people aware of psychological aspects. The Psychiatry Society of Nagpur will chalk-out the programme and will submit it to Dr Singal, after which an implementable programme will be formulated. “Everyday our police officers face cases where they find individuals suffering from mental and behavioral health challenges who require assistance. There are cases where we find individuals committing suicides for petty reasons. The scope of many such cases is beyond law enforcement response. I personally feel, the psychiatrists will assist us connecting individuals in need,” Dr Singal explained.