Branch backs PFEW call to end ‘silent crisis’ of police suicide

19 January 2026

Dyfed Powys Police Federation chair Delme Rees described as ‘shocking’ new data showing that 100 officers and staff died by suicide between 2022 and 2025.

Delme said the figures for England and Wales, which revealed there were more than 200 attempted suicides in the same period, were a ‘wake-up call’ for policing.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) put together the data.

It warned that the real figures are likely to be significantly higher because police forces are not currently required to record suicide or attempted suicide within their workforce.

Delme, who backed PFEW’s calls for their mandatory recording, said that Dyfed Powys Police has taken steps to better support staff.

Suicide

He said: The Force has introduced a suicide and sudden death toolkit designed to help managers respond appropriately in such circumstances.

“The toolkit provides guidance on supporting colleagues, as well as the families and friends of those affected, and sets out key considerations in the immediate aftermath of a death.

“It also includes guidance on recording deaths as work-related where this is considered apparent.

“But we need a national requirement, set out in law, to ensure that all forces are consistent and transparent.”

Delme added: “The figures released by PFEW are shocking, and they may well be the tip of the iceberg.

 

 

“We need the recording of police suicides and attempted suicides to be mandatory so that we can understand the true scale of the problem.

“It is also about understanding the reasons behind it, and ensuring that officers who dedicate their lives to protecting the public are protected themselves.”

PFEW has released the figures on so-called 'Blue Monday' (Monday 19 January), which was said to be the most depressing day of the year and has evolved into a focal point for mental health awareness.

The Federation said that because forces are not required to record suicide or attempted suicide, policing is not currently regarded by the Office for National Statistics as an ‘occupation at risk’.

Six-point plan

It has set out a six-point plan to end the crisis:

•    Chief Constables need to agree today to begin recording and reporting on suicide and attempted suicide in the workforce. We believe this needs to be a requirement set out in law and support Lord Bailey’s amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which would make recording and reporting mandatory.

•    Police conduct regulations need to mandate a 12-month limit for disciplinary investigations into police officers, whether that is by the IOPC or police forces.

•    Health and Safety legislation needs to treat police suicide as an incident at work and therefore reportable and investigated under ‘RIDDOR’ rules.

•    All forces should implement the Federation’s STEP (Suicide Trauma Education Prevention) campaign, a new national initiative launched by Hampshire Police Federation and backed by PFEW.  It aims to tackle the rising number of police officer suicides and exposing the often-unseen trauma officers face when repeatedly attending suicide incidents. It calls for mandatory TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) interventions for any officer attending a suicide. 

•    The coronial system needs to reflect the unique aggravating or contributory factors of the role of police officers in suicide and ensure that the crisis is dealt with nationally rather than through a patchwork of “prevention of future deaths” reports after individual inquests.

•    The Police Covenant needs to be funded to better support the welfare and wellbeing of police officers in the same way that the Armed Forces Covenant and Covenant Trust does.

Unique risks

Police Federation National Chair Tiff Lynch said: “This silent crisis has to end. Policing is a unique job carrying unique risks and officers know that the work they do will scar them mentally and physically.

“What they shouldn’t have to deal with is inadequate welfare support and a box-ticking approach to the duty of care forces have in their people.”

Delme said help was available for members who are struggling with their emotional or mental health.

He said: “We often think that because we are the police, we are the helpers, that we should crack on and don’t need help ourselves.

“But that’s not necessarily the case, and mental health issues can strike anyone, even police officers.

“No one is going to think you’re weak or anything negative about you if you ask for help, so please talk to each other or your Fed rep. Don’t suffer in silence.”

READ MORE: Federation is there for all officers, says Fed chair.