Startling rise in mental ill health among police officers

18 September 2024

More than 14,500 UK police officers were signed off work over the past year due to stress, depression, anxiety or PTSD it can be revealed.

Nationally, this figure is 9% up on last year - and a staggering 130% higher than when the survey was first run 11 years ago.

In Sussex, 412 police officers were signed off work due to stress, depression, anxiety or PTSD in the financial year 2023-2024.

Raffaele Cioffi, Chair of Sussex Police Federation, said: “These statistics reflect the current state of policing. 

"For years, there has been no meaningful investment in the police force, leaving us to pick up the pieces of society with dwindling resources and increased workloads. The data from Sussex is particularly concerning, with 412 reports of sickness related to mental health illness.

"The role of a constable is already challenging, and this has been worsened by the government's irresponsible decision to not address the funding formula, which dictates our budget regardless of the demands placed on my members. 

"Despite this, there is an expectation that officers deliver outstanding service in every interaction with the public. This sets an unrealistic standard for the Office of Constable, and many of my members have reached a breaking point.

"It is time for the new Labour Government to reflect on these issues and address the core problem: providing police forces with the resources they need; proportionate to the demand they face."

The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) Wellbeing Lead, Andy Rhodes, said: “Policing is an extremely fulfilling profession where officers can make a genuine difference to people’s lives and to their communities. Sadly the role they play means they can often be faced with some incredibly challenging and hostile situations and, over time, this can take a toll.

“For example, the recent unprecedented violent disorder saw more than 300 officers physically injured across the country and many more will also be impacted psychologically, although sometimes it may not surface for many years after the incident.

“Stressful, fast-paced situations and repeat exposure to trauma can affect officers and many police staff in a number of ways, which is why we are committed to supporting the psychological wellbeing of our people, working closely with leading experts and with the dedicated Occupational Health teams in forces.”

Mr Rhodes said that each force was committed to early-intervention debriefs when officers were exposed to trauma, alongside mental health peer support and psychological risk assessments. He added that the chief medical officer for policing had developed a national suicide action plan.

He said: “Policing is a rewarding career as long as the right support is made available to those who need it, when they need it.”