Calls for funding for support programs with 300 police officers leaving the force each year

NSW Police is in the grips of a mental health emergency with hundreds of highly trained officers leaving each year suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder — costing taxpayers $800 million in the last five years.

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NSW Police is in the grips of a mental health emergency with hundreds of highly trained officers leaving each year suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The crisis has cost taxpayers nearly $800 million over the past five years for the treatment of police with psychological injuries.

The new figures were released on Tuesday by the Police Association which has called for an increase in state government funding to bankroll support programs.

Police Association NSW secretary Pat Gooley said the state had an ethical obligation to look after its hero officers who had endured mental traumas in the line of duty.

Up to 300 highly trained, skilled police officers are leaving the force each year.

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“There’s no doubt we’ve got a mental health emergency among police in NSW,” he said. “For those of us in policing these figures, while alarming, aren’t all that surprising.

“What is surprising is that governments continue to ignore the problem rather than taking action to address it.

“We’re losing 300 highly trained, skilled, police officers from the force every year.

“You’d think that would be cause for action.”

Mr Gooley said on average 22 police were medically discharged each month because of psychological injury, 95 per cent of which involved PTSD to some degree.

Data shows mental health is now by far the biggest medical issue in the police service.

The Police Association said the mental health cost outstripped the $300 million bill for treating physical injuries over the same period.

“The leading causes of psychological injuries are exposure to traumatic incidents and work intensity,” association president Tony King said.

“Policing is a dangerous job. Dealing with incredibly difficult, traumatic, situations is an unfortunate reality of our work, but in 2019 we should be equipped to help police manage the difficult aspects of the job as best as possible.”

Mental health is currently the biggest issue in the police service.

Mr King said a program called the Workplace Improvement Program was shown to help officers with their physical and mental wellbeing but needed more funding.

“The program is working, but a lack of government investment means it’s not available to everyone,” he said.

Labor has promised to double funding to the program if it wins government but the Coalition is yet to indicate a stance either way.