Northumbria Police Federation is calling for every suicide and attempted suicide among officers and staff to be legally recorded, with fears that a growing national crisis within policing is being masked by a lack of consistent data.
Figures from the Police Federation for England and Wales (PFEW) reveal that between 2022 and 2025, more than 100 officers and staff are known to have died by suicide, including at least 70 serving officers. During the same period, over 200 attempted suicides were recorded.
However, the Federation is warning that these numbers are likely an underestimation. Without a legal requirement to track suicides and attempted suicides, the true scale of the problem remains invisible, and policing is not recognised by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as an occupation at heightened risk.
Branch chair Nick Munnelly said: “Mandatory recording is the only way to fully understand this crisis and take meaningful steps to prevent more tragedies. Every suicide and attempt must be recorded so we can identify patterns, understand risks, and provide the right support for officers.
“At the moment, we are navigating this crisis blindfolded. Without a mandatory system to record every suicide and attempted suicide, we are left guessing at the true scale and missing opportunities to intervene.
Suicide
“Recording these incidents is not just about statistics – it is about understanding the patterns, pressures, and warning signs that can save lives. Making it mandatory would shine a light on the realities officers face and give us the tools to prevent tragedies before they happen.”
Analysis by PFEW also highlights a concerning link between suicides and officers under misconduct investigation. Of the 70 officer suicides recorded between 2022 and 2025, 47 involved officers facing misconduct or criminal investigations. In 2025, 12 of the 13 known officer suicides involved officers under investigation.
Nick added: “We cannot ignore the link between officer wellbeing and the pressures of misconduct investigations.
“Mandatory recording would create transparency and accountability, and would ensure the Force, Federation and the wider system are providing the support they desperately need.”
Six-point plan
Northumbria Police Federation supports PFEW’s six-point plan to tackle the crisis, which includes:
- Legally requiring the recording and reporting of all suicides and attempted suicides.
- Limiting misconduct investigations to 12 months.
- Treating suicide as a work-related incident under Health and Safety legislation.
- National rollout of the STEP (Suicide Trauma Education Prevention) initiative, including mandatory TRiM support and the Stay Alive app.
- Reforming the coronial system to reflect the specific risks of policing.
- Fully funding the Police Covenant to improve officer welfare and wellbeing.
For urgent mental health help or immediate support, please contact:
Samaritans: 116 123
Oscar Kilo’s Mental Health Crisis Line: 0300 131 2789
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