EXCLUSIVE: Hundreds of Cumbrian police officers took absence due to mental health related issues
This is between January 2023 and October 2024.
We can exclusively reveal that, Between January 1 2023 and October 21 2024, 410 Cumbria Police officer's had taken a sickness absence where the recorded reason for the absence specified a mental-health related illness.
Our exclusive FOI also shows that as off the October 21, 63 members of the Constabulary were absent due to ill-health, for a period exceeding 28 days. This total includes police officers and members of police staff.
Of the 63 absent persons referred to above, 28 were ‘front line’ police officers.
We've shown the figures to Cumbria Police Federation's Chairman Ed Russell, who was not surprised by the high number.
He said: "Sadly, it comes down to an issue of officer numbers versus demand. Policing has continued to grow in complexity over recent years.
"Cumbria does ok in terms of officer numbers, but you can't get away from the demand placed on cops on the front line.
"81 per cent of Cumbrian officers in the last year reported stress, low mood, anxiety and it's this build up with the amount of stresses going on that causes officer sickness to increase.
"Attrition is a big issue with policing. With the amount of officers we have leaving across the country, it puts more pressure on the people that remain.
"The staff have their duties change, sometimes with as little as 24 hours notice. In Cumbria alone we had over 10,000 shift changes to officers. As I say at short notice, this is people who need to pick up their kids, take leave, get on with their lives.
A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "Policing is an extremely fulfilling but challenging profession where officers can and do make a positive impact on individuals and communities every day.
"However, it is also a profession which can take a significant toll due to the nature of what officers are asked to do and the hostile situations they are regularly asked to step into.
"At Cumbria Police we are committed to supporting our officers - including their psychological wellbeing - by working closely with individual affected officers, the Police Federation and our own Occupational Health team, to ensure they receive the help they need.
"Whilst the Constabulary received an outstanding grading from HMICFRS in respect of Building, Supporting and Protecting the Workforce, with inspectors referencing evidence of the proactive approach of managers towards the well-being of officers and staff and the promotion of a culture where health and well-being are at the foundation of decision-making, the Constabulary is committed to building upon what has been put in place so that officers and staff receive the very highest levels of support."