Coroner urges mandatory mental-health checks for police after officer's suicide
A South Australian coroner found that Senior Constable Benjamin Warren's 2022 suicide could not have been prevented, but highlighted gaps in police mental-health support.
During a 2023 hearing in the South Australian Coroners Court, State Coroner Naomi Kereru concluded that Senior Constable Benjamin Warren's suicide in 2022 was not preventable, but exposed a significant shortfall in psychological care for police. Warren, who had a high likelihood of PTSD from multiple critical incidents—including a 2014 double-fatal crash—was found dead after his ex-wife raised safety concerns. The coroner recommended that SAPOL introduce compulsory psychiatric assessments for officers reaching a defined trauma threshold, enhance awareness of employee assistance programs, and create a digital platform to flag repeated traumatic exposures.
Input from family members, with the officer’s consent, should be part of the assessment process. Police Minister Michael Brown expressed sympathy and said the recommendations would be discussed with the Police Commissioner. The findings aim to prevent future tragedies among law-enforcement personnel.
Why it matters
It highlights the need for better mental-health safeguards for police officers facing repeated trauma.
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