More than 100 police suicides since 2022. The time to act is now.

Police officers are facing a silent and devastating crisis. Data from the Police Federation reveals the true scale of a tragedy unfolding within the service: more than 100 police officers and staff have died by suicide since 2022, with hundreds more attempting to take their own lives.

This crisis is preventable. It is urgent. And it demands national action.

The Reality: Key Statistics

- More than 100 police officers and staff have died by suicide between 2022 and 2025
- At least 70 police officers are among those who have died
- More than 200 attempted suicides have been recorded in the same period
- Forces are not required to record suicides, meaning the true figures are likely significantly higher

A shocking link to the misconduct system

- 47 of the 70 suicides involved officers under misconduct or criminal investigation
- 173 of 236 attempted suicides were also linked to officers under investigation
- In 2025 alone, 12 of 13 known police suicides involved officers facing investigations

A system failing its people

- Policing is not currently recognised by the Office for National Statistics as an “occupation at risk” due to the lack of mandatory recording
- Officers under investigation often receive little to no welfare support, despite being at their most vulnerable

The Police Federation is calling for urgent, systemic change to end the silent crisis of police suicide. Officers are being failed by outdated processes, inconsistent welfare support, and a lack of national accountability.

Through our Copped Enough campaign, we aim to:

- Expose the true scale of police suicide
- Demand accountability from policing leaders and government
- Ensure officers receive the protection, welfare support and dignity they deserve
- Push for legislative and regulatory change to prevent further loss of life

This is not just a policing issue. It is a national wellbeing crisis affecting the people who protect our communities every day.

Our Six-Point Plan for Change

1. Mandatory recording and reporting of suicide and attempted suicide
Chief constables must begin recording and reporting these incidents immediately. PFEW supports Lord Bailey’s amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to make this a legal requirement.

2. A 12‑month limit on disciplinary investigations
Police conduct regulations must mandate a maximum 12‑month timeframe for investigations by forces or the IOPC. No officer should be left in limbo for years.

3. Treat police suicide as a workplace incident
Health and Safety legislation must classify police suicide as an incident at work, making it reportable and investigable under RIDDOR rules.

4. National rollout of the STEP campaign
All forces should adopt the Suicide Trauma Education Prevention (STEP) initiative, including:
- Mandatory TRiM interventions for officers attending suicide incidents
- Force‑wide downloading of the Stay Alive app
- Training to address the trauma officers face when repeatedly attending suicides

5. Reform of the coronial system
Coroners must recognise the unique pressures of policing as contributory factors in suicide. A national approach is needed, not fragmented “prevention of future deaths” reports.

6. Proper funding for the Police Covenant
The Police Covenant must be funded to provide meaningful welfare and wellbeing support, mirroring the model of the Armed Forces Covenant.

This Crisis Is Not Inevitable

Every statistic represents a colleague, a friend, a family member. We cannot allow this crisis to continue unseen and unchallenged.

The message is clear: The system must change. The support must improve. The silence must end.