Police attempting suicide and self-harm: report

THE State Government is investigating alleged bullying and intimidation in the Queensland Police Service after claims that dozens of officers have committed or attempted suicide or contemplated taking their own lives.

THE State Government is investigating alleged bullying and intimidation in the Queensland Police Service after claims that dozens of officers have committed or attempted suicide or contemplated taking their own lives.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has launched the investigation into ‘serious concerns’ raised in a 130-page report from former police sergeant turned officer advocate Kate Rasmussen.

A Senate committee inquiring into the mental health of first responders will also hear evidence from Ms Rasmussen at a hearing in Brisbane this week.

Ms Rasmussen, who medically retired from the QPS in 2014 after a confrontation with an armed offender left her with post-traumatic stress, set up Justice4Workers Queensland to help officers with compensation claims for psychological injuries.

She said most of her clients have suffered issues including bullying, victimisation and stigma surrounding mental illness.

Almost 80 per cent of the 678 police employees surveyed had experienced workplace bullying or believed there was a culture of bullying in the Queensland Police Service ranks.

At least 14 officers had committed suicide between 2001 and 2017, Ms Rasmussen said.

“Morale is at an all-time low and police are taking their own lives. Others are attempting suicide and self-harming,” she said in a submission to the Senate committee.

In a report sent to WHSQ and the Senate inquiry, Ms Rasmussen revealed almost 80 per cent of the 678 police employees she surveyed had experienced workplace bullying or believed there was a culture of bullying in the QPS ranks.

She said 37 officers had attempted suicide, while 221 reported they had considered taking their own lives because of workplace stress and bullying.

“I can guarantee there would be many more,” she said.

“The issue is not going away and is not being adequately risk-managed by the organisation.”

Ms Rasmussen claimed the police service had no system for recording psychological injuries and ‘inept’ practices for managing them, while the workers’ compensation process was ‘full of obstacles’.

“The modus operandi of the QPS hierarchy is to use various forms of ‘management action’ including the disciplinary system to essentially ‘manage’ employees out of the job,” she said.

“Employees are literally pushed until the break by targeted campaigns of management action against them.”

WHSQ says it has formally notified the QPS of a ‘formal complaint raising serious concerns relating to the psychological health of workers within the Queensland Police Service’.

The department has asked for evidence that the QPS is meeting its obligations for employees’ mental health under the Workplace Health and Safety Act.

Ms Rasmussen is calling for a royal commission into psychological injuries suffered by Queensland police officers.

If you or someone you know needs help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.