Officers and families to benefit from extra ‘free’ bereavement counselling

19 May 2023

Suffolk Police Federation welcomes the news that police officers, staff and their families will be able to access extra bereavement counselling after tragic events.

The support comes as a result of a partnership between the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS), Oscar Kilo, and charity Just ‘B’ to provide police forces with specialist bereavement counselling services.

Ben Hudson, secretary of Suffolk Police Federation said: “While I acknowledge the efforts the Force and the Federation already make to support colleagues and families after tragic events, this partnership really builds on what is in place and goes further, providing a dedicated counselling service.

“We are a police family, and the loss of a colleague really hits home. It’s important to us as the local Federation that our members and their families are supported so we welcome this new service and will be doing our bit to raise awareness.”

If a police officer or a member of police staff dies in the execution of their duty, or by suicide, then forces would provide support for the person’s family, and their immediate work colleagues, and can now also make a referral to Just ‘B’.

The counselling is free to police forces, with the cost being covered by the NPWS.

A counsellor will be allocated to each staff member, family member or bereaved family and work alongside them as they process and learn to manage their grief. 

Andy Rhodes, NPWS service director, explained: “Policing is a unique, rewarding, but challenging and sometimes dangerous job. We want to ensure that all police forces have options to provide tailored and specific support if the worst should happen.

“We have established this service with Just ‘B’ as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering key elements of the Police Covenant, ensuring that all police forces have options to be able to provide more support to officers, staff, but also their families.”

Members who feel they might benefit from speaking to a mental health counsellor can speak to their Federation rep about being referred to our Welfare Support Programme.