Sister of officer backs calls for mandatory recording of suicides

24 April 2026

The sister of West Mercia officer Dane Roleston-Lowe has welcomed a national campaign for the mandatory recording of police suicides and attempted suicides.

She said the absence of mandatory, consistent data leaves forces unable to properly understand the scale of the issue or the factors that place officers at risk.

Nena Hodges's comments come just days after it was confirmed that Chief Constables had agreed to the mandatory recording of suicide and attempted suicide in policing. 

Nena said: “If these events are not recorded, the police service cannot accurately identify patterns, trends, or risk factors.

 

Dane and Nena

 

“Without this data, forces cannot meaningfully assess what actually contributes to these incidents or develop effective, evidence-based prevention strategies.”

Nena said it was important to include attempted suicides within any recording framework.

She warned that focusing solely on suicides would risk missing ‘critical warning signs where intervention could still be possible’.

“Attempted suicides reveal underlying causes, workplace stressors, mental health barriers and sometimes institutional failures,” she said.

Future incidents

“Without acknowledging and analysing those attempts, the service remains ill-equipped to recognise officers at risk or to prevent future incidents.”

Dane, who had served with West Mercia Police for more than 28 years and was based at Hindlip.

Back in 2009, Dane had attempted suicide three times. In 2025, the 50-year-old died by suicide, leaving Nena and his family ‘heartbroken’.

Nena said Dane was open with his supervisors and praised the support he received from West Mercia Police.

But she said that not all officers feel able to show when they are struggling.

“Some people are very good at masking their pain, and no one would ever know,” she said.

Recording suicide

West Mercia Police Federation is taking a pioneering role on this issue, and has already held a meeting to establish a system for recording suicide within the workplace.

Key stakeholders attended, including Federation representatives, the Force’s heads of HR and Welfare, Occupational Health, and the NARPO Secretary.

Nena said: “This would all come too late for Dane but anything that can help reduce or stop police suicides has to be welcomed.

“There have been so many since Dane passed away, and knowing the absolute devastation it causes makes me feel so strongly about this.

“Mandatory recording has the potential to prevent others feeling so desperate.”

Nena, meanwhile, is due to take on a skydive TOMORROW in memory of Dane.

Mental health

She is raising funds to support men’s mental health initiatives and has been preparing for the event for months.

The jump was due to be held last year but was postponed because of poor weather conditions.

The date of the dive on Saturday 25 April 2026 is timed to coincide with Dane’s birthday on 26 April.

Nena is doing the jump in aid of the charity Talk Club, which aims to help men improve their mental health.

So far, Nena has raised £2,700 through her JustGiving page, which will remain open until she completes the skydive.

Stu Bott, temporary secretary for West Mercia Police Federation said: “We are extremely grateful to Nena, for getting behind our calls to make the recording of suicides and attempted suicides in policing mandatory.

Shockwaves

“Every case is a tragedy that sends shockwaves through families, forces, and communities - and Dane’s was no exception.

“We are proud to be already working hard with West Mercia Police Force, to put essential processes and systems in place to record suicide and attempted suicide. It’s vital that we do this, so we can really understand the scale of the issue and what needs to change. 

“Nena’s strength and determination in raising funds and awareness are incredible and stand as a powerful tribute to Dane.

“On behalf of the branch, I wish her all the best for her upcoming skydive.”

Support Nena by donating to her JustGiving page.

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