Media release
From: University of Technology Sydney (UTS)Child abuse, murder, domestic violence. A glance at newspaper headlines is enough to highlight the challenging situations faced by police officers daily. A new study finds rising levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related mental health challenges across three countries.
A lack of proper mental health support for police officers contributes to increased sick leave, early retirement and reduced job satisfaction. It can also impact judgement and performance in high-stakes moments, increasing risks to public safety.
The researchers examined demographic factors, trauma exposure and occupational stressors contributing to mental health outcomes in Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales. They identify key trends and insights into how policing organisations can enhance support systems.
The study, recently published in the Journal of Forensic Practice, was led by UTS Criminology Industry Fellow and former UK senior police officer Dr Alan Beckley, together with UTS Professor Philip Birch, Dr Joanna Wang and Arizona State University Professor Garth den Heyer.
“Every police officer has things in their memory that are traumatic, that they would prefer they didn't experience. Some learn to live with it and to cope with those memories, while others find it more difficult,” said Dr Beckley.
“Policing is an inherently risky and dangerous occupation. However, more must be done to reduce mental health injuries. The growing number of police officers medically retired due to mental health underscores the urgent need for effective interventions and support systems.”
The study, which compares and synthesizes previous research, finds that variations in support structures, training and organisational culture can influence mental health outcomes.
It outlines implications for practice, including the adoption of evidence-based interventions, addressing stigma around mental health, training and support for managers to recognise signs of distress and PTSD, and continuous monitoring and evaluation of programs.
The findings are particularly relevant to policymakers, administrators and mental health professionals supporting law enforcement.
The paper emphasises that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient. Instead, it recommends that “tailored, evidence-based strategies should be developed to align with the specific needs of police forces in different jurisdictions”.
“Our research shows there are some things being done well, but there's still quite a way to go to address the problem satisfactorily. It's clear there are still too many police officers who are suffering and not getting support for mental health issues,” said Dr Beckley.
“The attrition rate – the number of police officers who are retiring early – is very high in all three countries. In some cases, it is difficult to recruit enough people to even replace those who are leaving,” he said.
“Our study underscores the importance of balancing job demands with adequate resources, including peer support, resilience and leadership training and evidence-based policies to reduce the negative impact of policing on mental wellbeing.”
