CASES of UK police officers and staff taking long-term sick leave for psychological reasons have risen by 35% over the last five years.<\/p>\n
The figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show cases rose from 4,544 in 2010-11 to 6,129 in 2014-15.<\/p>\n
Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said \u201cWe have fewer officers doing more work with less recovery time. People will crack. It is not rocket science.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cPolice officer numbers at all ranks \u2013 and police staff members – have been drastically reduced but the demands on those that are left have remained constant.<\/p>\n
\u201cRest Days in SYP seem to be cancelled by a whim \u2013 they are not in our close partner in Humberside.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we have fewer officers doing more work with less recovery time. People will crack. It is not rocket science. I do know that Officer and staff wellbeing is under consideration by the joint South Yorkshire and Humberside senior officers, and again we will have to wait to see if their plans work or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Bowles said the number of officers taking time off for psychological reasons has increased in South Yorkshire as it has increased across the country.<\/p>\n
The BBC’s 5 live Daily programme contacted 46 police forces across the UK, and 40 provided information.<\/p>\n
Data also showed the number of police employees on long-term sick leave \u2013 defined by forces as either 28 or 29 days or more \u2013 rose from 19,825 in 2010\/11 to 22,547 in 2014\/15.<\/p>\n
There was also a steady increase in overall long-term sick leave.<\/p>\n
Che Donald, of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said there had been “unprecedented cuts to police officer numbers” while demand on forces had not decreased.<\/p>\n
He said increased sickness \u2013 including for psychological reasons \u2013 was not surprising as officers often worked in “highly stressful fast-moving environments” and were exposed to “horrific situations”.<\/p>\n