Dear Editor.

I refer to your article of September 17, 2012 regarding the JCF chaplaincy needing at least 150 volunteers. I think counselling for police personnel should be made mandatory as they are often exposed to all kinds of stress, and this affects their loved ones and the society.

Some police even know they have issues and refuse to share them with anyone. I can testify to that because I was dating an officer and it was the most stressful time of my life. The officer didn't communicate and his behaviour was often strange. Instead of embracing love and affection, he ran away from them. It was like dealing with a hard rock, and I often wondered if I was the problem.

I recommended a psychologist and he refused. This even backfired on me. So my question is, "Will some of these police personnel take up the offer of getting help or will they make pride force them into destructive behaviour because they are enforcers of the law?

A Shawn

Kingston