GMP Federation Chair outlines the trauma Police Officers face

Police officers witness many horrific sights that can result in trauma, the Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation has said, as a new campaign aims to reduce the number of police officers who take their own lives.

Launched by Hampshire Police Federation, Federations across the country are backing the STEP – Suicide Trauma Education Prevention – campaign, which raises awareness of the amount of trauma officers face in their jobs, and where they can access support.

Between 2011 and 2022, there were 242 suicides of current police officers and PCSOs in England and Wales. More recently – from 2021 to 2024 – an estimated 80 former and current police officers took their own lives.

Although the causes of any suicide are complicated and nuanced, many officers are deeply affected when they attend incidents where a member of the public has taken their own life. In 2023 alone, there were 7,055 deaths registered in the UK where the cause was recorded as suicide. This is the highest rate per size of population since 1999.

That means that more officers are facing the trauma of attending a suicide-related call. The STEP campaign calls for the practical step of mandatory TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) sessions for every police officer who attends a suicide.

Mike Peake, Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “Nationally, police suicide numbers are rising, which cannot be allowed to continue. I am pleased that Greater Manchester Police Federation is continuing to work with the force in establishing a fit-for-purpose TRiM process that all officers and staff can access when needed, and to ensure that officers who find themselves under investigation receive the right level of support.

“Due to the stressful nature of the job, police officers witness some horrific sights. It is important to remember that we are human beings with feelings and emotions, yet there are some out there who expect us to be robots – this culture needs to change.”

It is important for officers who are struggling to know they are not alone, and that there are people there to help, said Mike. This includes, for immediacy:

The Thin Blue Line: visit www.thinbluelineuk.org.uk

and Samaritans: call 116 123

Officers can also access the support offered by charities and organisations including Flint House, Police Treatment Centres, The Ben Fund and Oscar Kilo.