AFP officer takes his own life at police headquarters in Perth, WA

A police officer has taken his own life at work and comes amid reports that staff have been working under enormous pressure. Warning: Distressing content

A police officer has taken his own life in the new headquarters of the Australian Federal Police building in Perth in Friday.

The 34-year-old man who was a Protective Services Officer is understood to have used his service firearm.

His colleagues apparently did not hear the shot but found him some time later.

The suicide, the first known about in the AFP since 2019 comes amid reports that staff have been working under enormous pressure including minimum staffing levels, and increasing levels of overtime.

It is understood staff have also been unhappy about leadership issues.

The AFP had a rash of suicides between 2017 and 2019 with five officers dying by suicide using their own firearms at work.

AFP officer Sue Jones died by suicide at the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters in February 2017.

AFP officer Sue Jones died by suicide.

AFP agent Samantha Baglin.

Later that year in November, AFP member Malcolm Scott, 59, walked into the foyer of the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters and took his own life.

In December 2018, Sergeant Samantha Baglin, 44, died by suicide at the Australian Federal Police national headquarters in Canberra.

Just six weeks earlier, Superintendent Richard Roberts also took his own life in the same place.

The AFP has worked to overcome issues within the organisation including introducing its Shield mental health program.

However, it is understood at least three positions for stated based doctors for Shield are vacant including in Perth.

A number of AFP officers have said they are struggling at work.

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw has issued a statement about the latest suicide saying: “The AFP is mourning the loss of one of our own. It is with great sadness to confirm the death of one of our Protective Service Officers at AFP headquarters in Western Australia yesterday. At this stage there are no suspicious circumstances.”

Originally published as AFP officer takes his own life at police headquarters in Perth, WA