Top policing rep backs calls for mental health review of police officers in first five years of service
Two-thirds of all officers resigning are those who have hit the five-year point and can give no more, says a force advocate
A top South Yorkshire policing rep has backed calls for a mental health review of police officers in their first five years of service, but emphasised the need for “real change”.
Steve Kent, chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said results of the survey “must not be ignored or just given lip service”.
Moving for the survey at the federation’s annual conference, acting national chair Paul Williams declared a public health emergency in policing, warning that workloads and increased exposure to trauma was damaging officers’ health.
However, commenting on the plans, South Yorkshire chairman Mr Kent said any independent investigation would require “serious weight”.
He added: “This needs to be Government-led, it needs to be binding and it needs to bring about real change. This is about policing within the first five years, and that resonates throughout an officer’s career.
“It ties in with what we’re talking about with suicide prevention. It ties in with the mental health epidemic that we are sleepwalking into.
“So this investigation is important, but it needs to have weight and it needs to have clear consequences when we see the results.”
National chairman Mr Williams said he had written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, calling on her to put urgent measures in place to tackle the issues officers face.
He said: “We need urgent action to stop policing burning through its people. Half of PCs have fewer than five years’ service. Two-thirds of all officers resigning are those who have hit the five-year point and can give no more.
“That is why PFEW is calling for an independent investigation into the health, wellbeing and welfare of officers in their first five years of service.”