A former Lincolnshire Police officer who patrolled the streets of Spalding has launched a national campaign calling for urgent action over police suicides.
Paul Cooper, who previously served with both Lincolnshire and Cleveland Police forces has launched the campaign It Stops Now.
The move follows figures published by the Police Federation of England and Wales in January 2026, which identified more than 100 suicides among police officers and staff between 2022 and 2025.
Of the 70 police officer suicides recorded, 47 involved officers under investigation.
The Federation also reported 236 attempted suicides, 173 involving officers under investigation.
Paul (pictured) says: “The figures do not establish that investigations caused these deaths or attempts, they have raised serious questions about the treatment and protection of officers experiencing psychological distress.
“We need action today. We cannot afford to wait for another review of police accountability, another White Paper or recommendations that could take years to implement. We are losing police officers now,” said Paul, who added he decided to launch the campaign after the loss of an officer he knew.
“Officers spend years dealing with things most people will never have to witness.
“They attend deaths, serious injuries, violence and some of the most traumatic situations imaginable.
“Then there are those who suffer injuries, are moved from specialist roles they’ve worked their entire careers towards, or find themselves treated very differently by the organisation they have dedicated their lives to.
“For many officers, policing isn’t simply what they do. It’s who they are. When that identity is taken away, whether through ill health, disciplinary proceedings, organisational decisions or leaving the service, the psychological impact can be devastating.
“We need to start asking whether the organisations responsible for protecting officers are sometimes contributing to the harm they experience.”
Paul, who now lives in Teeside, said: “Serious wrongdoing must always be investigated, and accountability is essential. But accountability and humanity should never be competing principles.
“We cannot keep examining what went wrong after another family has lost someone. We need to start preventing these tragedies before they happen.
“We cannot change what has happened to those we have already lost. But we can change what happens next and that needs to start now.”
