Chair backs national plan to end ‘silent crisis’ of suicide

27 February 2026

Suicide prevention is one of the most pressing issues facing policing, says Dyfed Powys Police Federation chair Delme Rees.

Delme has called for ‘the silent crisis’ to end, highlighting the Police Federation of England and Wales' (PFEW) six-point plan for change.

Delme said: “Policing is a profession like no other.

“It regularly exposes officers to violence, loss of life, people in crisis and suicide.

“Combined with long hours, heavy workloads, and antisocial hours, repeated exposure to traumatic situations can have a cumulative effect on officers.

“That is why officer mental health and suicide prevention need to be treated as urgent priorities. The silent crisis of police suicide has to end.”

Data recently released by PFEW found more than 100 police officers and staff died by suicide between 2022 and 2025, with more than 200 attempted suicides reported during that period.

Suicide

However, police forces are not required to record suicide or attempted suicide, meaning the real figures are likely to be significantly higher.

PFEW said that officers are being failed by outdated processes, inconsistent welfare support, and a lack of national accountability.

It has set out a 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.

Wellbeing

Delme said: “Our officers and staff are our most valuable asset, and we need to ensure that we are treating them as such.

“We can’t keep asking them to put themselves in situations that could scar them mentally and physically and not have the proper support available.

“They need to have the welfare and wellbeing support in place, in case it ever gets too much.

“This is why PFEW’s six-point plan is so important.

“And I’d urge members, if it does get too much, not to bottle everything up. Please speak to a Fed Rep or talk to a trusted colleague or friend. Please don’t suffer in silence.”

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