Family of SA Police Sergeant Russell Nash, who died by suicide, break silence on his treatment, police culture
The family of a senior SA Police officer who died by suicide, leaving two young children, has called out a culture in the force they say must change.
The family of a dedicated police officer – who took his own life – has called on SA Police to address what they claim are deadly “systemic and cultural failures” when it comes to dealing with members experiencing mental health issues.
A coronial inquest is underway investigating the death of long-serving police officer Sergeant Russell Peter Nash – a father of two who took his own life on Christmas Eve 2021 – after alleged bullying by a supervisor. No findings have yet been made.
The inquest previously heard a senior officer used “excessive and unwarranted display of power” after Sgt Nash was redeployed as a Band Master in February 2019 during a WorkCover-led Return to Work scheme.
In an exclusive statement to The Advertiser, Sgt Nash’s family, who has been closely following the inquest, made a plea for SA Police to review their processes relating to managing mental health and bullying.
“In recent weeks, we have heard evidence from several witnesses exposing the appalling conduct of senior SAPOL personnel during Russell’s Return to Work Program,” the family said.
“Although not examined in this inquest, we are acutely aware of other SAPOL members who have committed suicide under similar circumstances, as well as damning results of the SAPOL 2024 People Matter Employee Survey … a clear demonstration that behaviours such as bullying and harassment are systemic throughout the organisation.
“We are gravely concerned that this poor culture, combined with the apparent unwillingness of some senior SAPOL members to understand and support people facing mental health challenges, will lead to further preventable deaths.”
The court has heard Sgt Nash struggled with alcoholism to cope with his PTSD and other illnesses, which are believed to have stemmed from his exposure to multiple child deaths when he worked in SA Police’s child and family violence section.
The family has urged “SAPOL leadership to take immediate positive and decisive action” to address “the systemic and cultural failures within the organisation”.
“This must include holding accountable those individuals whose actions or inactions as the case may be, contributed to Russell’s declining work related mental health state, as well as those who failed to meet their Duty of Care obligations under OH&S legislation,” the family said.
“We urge SAPOL and the SA Government to invest in providing high level psychological support to all SAPOL staff through suitably trained people who have a clear understanding of the trauma related environment specific to emergency service personnel.
“There should be no stigma attached to mental illness itself or the reporting of it, which was not only evident in Russell’s case but the focus of other Coronial inquires involving police officers.
“No SAPOL member or their family should ever endure the pain and loss we have suffered.”
Sgt Nash’s family said they trusted the coroner and will await the final findings and recommendations.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said on Wednesday neither he, nor SA Police, would comment on the matter while under examination by the coroner.
“We’ll allow that process to run its course and review the full information considered by the coroner, along with any recommendations provided,” he said.
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Originally published as Family of SA Police Sergeant Russell Nash, who died by suicide, break silence on his treatment, police culture
