Landmark change on officer suicides follows Federation campaign

16 April 2026

Chief constables have agreed to introduce the mandatory recording of officer suicides and attempted suicides following a Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) campaign.

North Yorkshire Police Federation chair Rob Bowles described the move as an essential step towards improving officer welfare.

Rob said: “Our branch, branches across the country, and the national Federation have been campaigning on this for a while, and it is fantastic that our collective voices have helped to bring about this welcome change.

“For far too long suicide has been a silent crisis in policing but we’ve not had the data to be able to identify the reasons behind it and any trends.

“It also meant policing has not had the full information that would allow it to take effective preventative action or intervention.

“Which is why this change is a landmark moment for police officer welfare.”

The branch has worked extensively to highlight the issue of police suicide and to encourage officers to talk more openly about their mental health.

The work includes a powerful and deeply moving video released for 2024's World Suicide Prevention Day.

Powerful video

The video is a heartfelt plea to break down the barriers that prevent officers from addressing their mental health struggles.

It featured Federation representatives and members opening up about their experience of suicide.

The development to introduce the mandatory recording of officer suicides follows the inquest into the death of Sergeant Ben Websdale, who died by suicide.

The case intensified calls for greater transparency and support within policing after coroner Penelope Schofield published a report earlier this year calling on forces to record officer suicides

PFEW has been calling for the mandatory recording of police suicides and attempted suicides after figures revealed that between 2022 and 2025, at least 70 serving officers are known to have died by suicide.

Now the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has agreed to make recording of suicides mandatory and to introduce a trauma support system, annual psychological assessments, and training, according to a report in the Mirror.

Responsibility

Rob said: “Officers routinely deal with trauma and human tragedy. They work demanding shifts, carry immense responsibility, and face violence just for the uniform they wear, all while facing challenges around their pay and conditions.

“All of that accumulates. The impact on mental health is real, and must not be ignored. This change is a welcome first step, but other changes must follow.”

PFEW’s campaign has highlighted the link to the misconduct system. It found that 47 of the 70 suicides involved officers under misconduct or criminal investigation, with 173 of 236 attempted suicides also linked to officers under investigation.

It has led the Federation to strengthen its campaign for a 12-month limit on disciplinary investigations.

Rob said: “All too often these investigations drag on for years and have a significant impact on the welfare and wellbeing of the individual officer.

Impact

“We’ve long called for a limit on those investigations because of the real-life impact they have on officers.

“Which is why this must be the beginning. Changes to the disciplinary system and investment in welfare provision has the power to save lives.”

For urgent mental health help or immediate support, please contact:

Samaritans: 116 123