Cambridgeshire police chief makes officers' mental health pledge
Almost 150 officers in the county signed off with poor mental health in the last financial year
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's police and crime commissioner says he'll continue to help officers struggling with their mental health.
Figures from a Cambridgeshire Police Federation survey show between 2023-24, 82% of officers reported difficulties with their wellbeing including stress.
As well as this, figures show 148 local officers were signed off with poor mental health in the 2023-24 financial year according to the Federation.
It's a drop on the previous year, but nationally the number of staff leaving for this reason was up.
Healthy workforce is 'vital'
"Policing is about people. It's absolutely vital that we have a fit and healthy and well looked after police force," Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's police and crime commissioner, said.
"We know that mental health is an issue across the board.
"What we need to do is be alive to it, be alive to our workforce, alive to their needs and put in place measures where we can."
The Federation says some officers are struggling to deal with excessive workloads and working long hours.
Across the UK, 14,508 officers were signed off in the year with stress, anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, a 9% increase on last year.
Liz Groom, chair of the Cambridgeshire Police Federation, has previously said that members "are regularly exposed to traumatic incidents" and added that attacks by the public are increasing.
Mr Preston believes mental health issues within the force are not "a significant issue" that's impacting on police performance.
"I'm reassured the chief constable has measures in place to ensure the welfare of his staff (is kept up); I've got a very good relationship with the Federation and very happy to listen to them and act on any concerns," Mr Preston added.
Mental health taken 'incredibly seriously'
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police has told Greatest Hits Radio that it takes the mental wellbeing of officers and staff "incredibly seriously and the welfare, both physical and mental, of all officers is paramount.
"We support officers and staff throughout their careers and foster a welfare and wellbeing focused culture as business as usual.
"This includes physical and mental health as well as the broader concept of wellbeing – which enables people to realise their potential, be resilient, and be able to make a productive contribution."
Cambridgeshire Police say measures including a trauma risk management process - a welfare process to support those exposed to potentially traumatic incidents - are available and "actively promoted" to officers and staff.
"We have a dedicated Health and Wellbeing hub on our intranet site, which is regularly updated by dedicated experts with various information and resources," the spokesperson added.
"We also have the force chaplains who travel around the different force sites and are available for officers and staff to talk to whenever they need."
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