Union boss requires police to be investigated over officers’ suicide

The head of a police union is demanding motion over the variety of officers who’ve taken their very own lives lately.

‘Enormous strain’ from trauma after assaults, calls for from the job and misery from lengthy misconduct investigations have led to a lower in officers’ psychological well being, a senior official stated.

A complete of 344 officers dedicated suicide between 2001 and 2020, with 181 ranked sergeant and under died between 2011 and 2021, The Mirror experiences.

Among those that died are Norfolk PC Martin Scott, 35, who killed himself in July whereas below investigation for alleged misconduct.

Andy Symonds, of Norfolk Police Federation, stated: ‘Often [suicide] is linked to the stress of the job… It is ruining lives’

‘Enormous strain’ from trauma after assaults, calls for from the job and misery from lengthy misconduct investigations have led to a lower in officers’ psychological well being, a senior official stated

Elsewhere, Bedfordshire Polie Sgt Sean Duignan, 44, shot himself in 2021, whereas South Yorks PC Billy Sampson, 27, took his personal life in 2020 whereas awaiting trial for assault.

An additional case reportedly befell in March when West Yorkshire PC pupil officer Anugrah Abraham, 22, dedicated suicide whereas below ‘stress’ and ‘strain’ in accordance with his household.

Andy Symonds, of Norfolk Police Federation, stated: ‘Often [suicide] is linked to the stress of the job… It is ruining lives.’ 

Norfolk Police has taken its instances to the IOPC and states that it’s reviewing inner processes.

The HSE stated: ‘Suicide shouldn’t be reportable to us below present laws. A coroner can refer a case in the event that they think about there’s an ongoing threat to others.’ 

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