OVER 200 Victorian police have taken mental health leave in the past 12 months, the state’s police association says.
VICTORIA Police is considering a review of suicide in the force after a constable used her service weapon to take her own life in Melbourne’s southeast on Monday afternoon.
The Herald Sun reports the woman’s death at the Seaford Multidisciplinary Centre has prompted the force to consider a review. Police Association of Victoria secretary Ron Iddles told 3AW police officers faced traumatic jobs. “One in five of the general community will suffer depression, and if you overlay police work, which has got relatively harder and more stressing over the last couple of years, the statistics are in excess of 200 members in the last 12 months are going off sick with mental illness,” he told 3AW on Tuesday. A police spokeswoman said a report is being prepared for the coroner after the death of the leading senior constable. * Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.