Police move to tackle high suicide rate of officers

Police forces across the nation have announced a series of comprehensive measures to address the alarming rate of police officer suicides. According to the National Police Agency, an average of 23 officers have taken their own lives each year from 2020 to 2024, with the figure reaching 25 in 2025. Over the past five years, the suicide rate among police officers has been 17.7 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the 8.6 per 100,000 rate for other public servants.

The high suicide rate is attributed to the extreme stress officers endure due to their frequent exposure to traumatic events, such as violent crimes, disasters, and accidents. To combat this issue, the agency plans to implement several key initiatives. Firstly, they will conduct mental health checkups for all police officers every two years. If an officer is identified as being at risk, they will receive appropriate assistance, which may include counseling and, if necessary, hospital treatment.

In addition to these regular checkups, the agency intends to expand an existing routine counseling program to provide all officers with at least one annual session. Furthermore, they aim to broaden the scope of mental health support to encompass a wider range of issues officers may face. The police force's new suicide prevention strategy is designed to provide better mental health care and support to those who risk their lives to serve and protect communities.