Extra bereavement support available for Fed members and families

12 May 2023

A new scheme which offers free bereavement support to the families and colleagues of officers killed in the line of duty or who take their own lives has been welcomed by West Midlands Police Federation. 

The bereavement counselling service is being provided thanks to a new partnership between the National Police Wellbeing Service, Oscar Kilo, and bereavement support organisation, Just ‘B’.

The branch’s personnel lead, Jon Nott, said the initiative would provide additional support to relatives and colleagues after the death of an officer.

He said: “The welfare and health of our members and their families has always been our top priority so we are delighted to see this extra level of support become available.

“Officer deaths in service are thankfully very rare but when it happens it sends shockwaves through the policing family and communities and the Force.

“Having access to a strong network of help and support is vital for people affected by such tragedies so this partnership initiative is a very welcome addition.”

The new service will be entirely funded by Oscar Kilo and provided through specialist bereavement service Just ‘B’, which will allocate a counsellor to each person, providing either group or one-to-one support, to help manage their grief.”

Just ‘B’ provides expert emotional wellbeing and bereavement support, as well as information and advice to a range of individuals, including professionals experiencing any type of bereavement.

A referral will most likely be made by the Force’s occupational health or wellbeing team, following the usual process that is involved when a police officer or member of staff dies in the line of duty or by suicide.

The partnership demonstrates the ongoing commitment being made by Oscar Kilo to deliver the Police Covenant, by ensuring that all police forces have options to provide more support to officers and staff, as well as their families. 

Just ‘B’ chief executive Tony Collins said: “Our tailored support will be there for police officers, staff and their families across the 43 police forces, ensuring it can be accessed during a time when it’s most needed following a death in service or by suicide, with our specialist support provided alongside existing structures in place.”

If you feel you need additional bereavement or wellbeing support then please speak to your line manager or contact the Federation.