Police Service undergo counselling training

By Gutu Faasau 12 August 2022, 10:00AM

A non-government organisation is running a counselling training program for Samoa Police Service members, in the hope it will equip them with better skills when interacting with clients. 

Tofa Sinasina Inc. is running the training program which its facilitators hope will assist the Police better facilitate the journey of their clients towards growth and empowerment. 

Part of their training includes them being taught on how to deconstruct problems and help clients solve the issues themselves. The six-day program started on 10 August with the Police Commissioner and his executive management receiving training on the first day.

The second day was for the senior management of Police while the third day was for senior sergeants to corporals. The fourth day will be for male constables and the fifth day female constables with new recruits on the last day. 

Malopito Paul Elu, who is leading the program training alongside the Board members, have banded together to run the training for the Police.

Mr. Elu further emphasised the importance of the profession in maintaining a professional relationship with the client, "you must remember to not the blur professional boundaries". 

"Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure of information is important in maintaining a professional relationship with each of your clients," he said.

"Talking to someone in confidence about problems with the hope of finding solutions and feeling better, counselling is a professional and supportive relationship where the counsellor listens with care and empathy by offering practical assistance."

The N.G.O. has counselling officers who received special training from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC). They specialise in counselling and research and hold trainings like these to educate more people about the appropriate measures in counselling. 

APTC offers this course which lasts for a duration of one year and the graduates will receive qualifications as a counselor.

By Gutu Faasau 12 August 2022, 10:00AM
Samoa Observer

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