Forces could have to collect data on officer and staff suicides

27 February 2026

Forces could be compelled to collect and publish data on suicide and attempted suicide among police officers and staff.

A number of amendments to the Police and Crime Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, have been tabled by peers who are due to discuss the new legislation as it reaches the Report Stage.

Similar amendments were withdrawn a few weeks ago, but this latest move has been welcomed by Tim Rogers, secretary of West Midlands Police Federation.

“We were obviously disappointed when the amendments failed to gain full backing initially, but the fact that this issue is being brought back for discussion is an encouraging sign,” said Tim.

“It is critical that we have accurate information on police officer and staff suicide, because only then can the police service address the underlying issues leading to them to taking their own lives.

“The Police Federation has already established a link police officer and staff suicide and the police conduct regime. Its data has revealed that more than 100 police officers and staff died by suicide between 2022 and 2025.

“Forty-seven of the 70 suicides and 173 of 236 attempted suicides were found to be attributable to officers involved in misconduct or criminal investigations against them. In 2025 the link was even stronger, with 12 of 13 police officer suicides that we know about involving officers under investigation.

“More has to be done to support these officers and we need a real commitment to the general wellbeing of those police officers and staff who day in, day out put their lives on the line to serve and protect their communities.”

Wellbeing

Lord Bailey of Paddington wants to see a new clause added to the bill to mandate Government to annually collect the data on police officer and staff suicides and attempted suicides ‘for the purposes of supporting mental health and wellbeing under the Police Covenant’.

This would in turn require all forces in England and Wales to collect and submit this information to the Government and also include duty status, length of service, role, rank, known occupational stressors, and access to mental health support.

A full report would then have to be laid before Parliament covering national and force-level data trends, analysis of occupational contributory factors, the assessment of the adequacy, usage and evidence-based outcomes of mental health and suicide prevention provisions under the Police Covenant, recommendations to address identified risks, and a statement from the Chief Medical Officer for England.

Tim concluded: “We will continue to monitor the progress of this bill through Parliament and hope that this amendment in particular is supported.

“We hear many politicians talk of their support for policing and police officers but we need to see these warm words backed by action. It is quite shocking to think that this data is not already collected and acted upon, but the Government now has an opportunity to put this right.”