The Importance of Psychological Screening before Police Recruitment to Prevent Criminal Minds within the System
- The tragic death of Mahmeer Tunio should serve as a final wake-up call for the state. A nation that cannot protect its citizens from its own protectors is one that has abandoned its foundational responsibility
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
The brutal and inhumane murder of Mahmeer Tunio, a young hair transplant technician, at the hands of police officers in Karachi is not merely the loss of an innocent life; it is a dark stain on the institutional credibility of the entire Sindh Police. This horrific incident has left a deep wound in the hearts of every conscious and empathetic person in Sindh. It has exposed the terrifying truth that within the very system meant to protect citizens, there exist psychologically unstable and morally corrupt individuals who misuse the power of the uniform as a weapon of oppression.
We strongly condemn this tragic and painful act in the harshest possible terms. Our deepest sympathies lie with Mahmeer Tunio’s family. It is the duty of the state not only to ensure swift and severe punishment for the accused officers but, more importantly, to identify and close the loopholes that allow such criminals and predators to infiltrate an institution as powerful and essential as the police. This is not the time for emotional outrage alone; it is the time for systemic reform. The central question today is: How important is psychological screening in the police recruitment and training process?
The Nature of Police Work and the Burden of Mental Stress
Police work is unlike any other profession. It demands that officers operate under extreme stress, in dangerous environments, and make split-second life-and-death decisions. Even an ordinary person can experience mental fatigue or behavioral changes over time under such pressure. But if an individual inherently possesses violent tendencies, a desire to misuse power, or a history of criminal or antisocial behavior, giving such a person a uniform and authority transforms them into a public threat.
To prevent such individuals from entering the police force, traditional recruitment criteria such as physical fitness tests, educational qualifications, and written exams are insufficient. A psychologically unstable or violent person (a “psycho”) might easily pass the physical exam and score well in tests, but will lack emotional stability, empathy, and impulse control, essential human traits for any law enforcement role. The murder of Mahmeer Tunio is a stark reminder that the police now need not just physically fit recruits, but mentally balanced and emotionally stable ones.
Global Standards: How Developed Nations Recruit Police Officers
Across the world, especially in developed countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, police recruitment involves rigorous psychological evaluation as a core component. This is not a single test but a multi-stage, comprehensive process, which includes the following steps:
- Standardized Personality Tests:
Candidates are given extensive written psychological questionnaires that assess levels of aggression, impulse control, adherence to rules, response under stress, and social behavior. Prominent among these is the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), one of the most respected tools for screening personality and mental health.
- Clinical Interviews:
Shortlisted candidates are required to undergo a one-on-one session with a licensed clinical psychologist. These interviews explore the candidate’s personal history, decision-making in difficult situations, and moral reasoning. The aim is to determine whether any aspect of their psychological makeup could compromise their ability to perform ethically and responsibly.
- Case Studies and Role-Play Assessments:
Many institutions also place candidates in mock scenarios to observe their practical decision-making, especially in situations where the use of force might be necessary. These exercises help evaluate emotional control, fairness, and judgment.
- Disclosure of Mental Health History:
Candidates must disclose any past mental health conditions or treatments. Diagnoses such as severe depression, PTSD, or violent disorders are reviewed carefully before any recruitment decision is made.
Practical Steps and Immediate Recommendations for Sindh
At this critical juncture, the Sindh Police leadership and the Sindh Government must look beyond superficial or traditional solutions and adopt global standards for recruitment and monitoring. Reforms should begin with the following actions:
- Mandatory Psychological Clearance:
Every recruit, from constables to senior officers, should be required to obtain a psychological clearance certificate from an independent and certified psychologist before joining the force. This process must be free from financial or political influence.
- Culturally Sensitive Assessment Tools:
The screening tools should be adapted to Sindh’s cultural, linguistic, and social context to ensure accurate results. For this purpose, a provincial board of expert psychologists should be established, independent of police or political interference.
- Regular Mental Health Reviews:
Psychological assessments should not be limited to recruitment. Every three to four years, serving officers should undergo mental health reviews to evaluate stress levels, aggression tendencies, empathy, and humility. Officers found suffering from severe mental stress or emotional instability should be temporarily removed from frontline duties and provided counseling and therapy.
- Revised Training Curriculum:
The police training syllabus must include modules on public service, empathy, and human rights, so officers understand that authority exists for duty, not for personal ego or emotional gratification.
The Murder of Mahmeer Tunio: A Final Warning
The tragic death of Mahmeer Tunio should serve as a final wake-up call for the state. A nation that cannot protect its citizens from its own protectors is one that has abandoned its foundational responsibility. The rulers of Sindh must acknowledge that physical strength is secondary; mental stability and moral integrity are the true foundations of effective policing and public trust.
Until we strengthen these psychological filters within our recruitment system, criminals will continue to hide behind uniforms, exploiting the power of the state to harm the very people they are meant to serve. True reform in Sindh will only be possible when ethical and psychological fitness, not political loyalty or physical might, becomes the top priority at every level of the system.
Read: Sindh: Robbed by its own Guardians
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
