Chief constables support move to improve suicide recording in policing

15 April 2026

Chief constables have backed a move to strengthen the recording of suicides and attempted suicides among police officers and staff - a development already being supported locally by West Mercia Police Federation as part of a pioneering approach to officer wellbeing.

The development follows the inquest into the death of Sussex Sergeant Ben Websdale, who died by suicide - a case that has strengthened calls for greater transparency and improved support across policing.

The agreement comes amid growing concern about mental health in policing and follows national figures showing more than 100 officers and staff died by suicide between 2022 and 2025, including at least 70 serving officers, with over 200 recorded suicide attempts in the same period.

The data, compiled by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and published earlier this year, is widely believed to underrepresent the true scale of the issue, as forces are not currently required to record suicides or attempts. Policing is also not recognised by the Office for National Statistics as an ‘occupation at risk’.

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.

Interim secretary for the branch Stu Bott said: “The agreement by chief constables is an important shift. For the first time, we are seeing a coordinated effort to better understand the scale of this issue and the risks officers face.

Prevention strategies

“But recording is just the starting point. It provides the evidence we need to identify patterns, understand causes and build effective prevention strategies.

“At the moment, the picture is incomplete. These figures are already stark, but they are likely to underestimate the reality. This is a silent crisis that policing can no longer afford to overlook.”

He added that the broader package of changes could drive longer-term improvements if implemented effectively.

“Introducing consistent recording, alongside trauma support and psychological assessments, gives us the opportunity to take a more proactive approach to wellbeing.

“But it has to be meaningful. This is not about process - it’s about ensuring people are supported before they reach crisis point.”

Crisis point

Against this backdrop, West Mercia Police Federation has already begun work locally to support the direction of travel, holding a multi-agency meeting to develop a consistent approach to recording suicides and attempted suicides within the force.

The session brought together Federation representatives, senior leaders from HR and welfare, Occupational Health, and the NARPO Secretary.

“This is not about statistics or process - it is about prevention and protecting lives," continued Stu, who said that the impact of suicide in policing extends far beyond the individual.

“One death affects colleagues, families, supervisors and entire teams. In policing, that ripple effect is even greater because of the shared trauma and intensity of the role.

“If we are serious about tackling this issue, we have to use this opportunity to listen, learn and act. This must be the start of meaningful change - ensuring our officers and staff are properly supported, and that no one feels they have to face these challenges alone.”

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