As the current CEO of Police Veterans Victoria, Debra Richardson recalls a day that changed her life and the lives of many others indefinitely. At only 21 years old, she took on the role of constable to protect the community she loved and served. A daylight bombing that targeted the Russell Street Police Station in Melbourne on March 27, 1986 killed and injured many and changed her life immediately. She didn’t expect how deeply this event would change her course.
Richardson was set to begin her afternoon shift at 1 PM. Arriving early at 12:40 PM, she chose an unfamiliar route through the back door, a decision that would have profound implications. Just twenty-one minutes after her arrival, tragedy struck. At precisely 1:01 PM, an explosion reverberated through the station, leaving destruction in its wake.
The immediate aftermath of the bombing changed Richardson’s life in other ways. She sustained a back injury and was sent home in a wheelchair, marking the beginning of a long and difficult recovery process. The next eight days left her bedridden, suffering from the effects of the surgery, and reeling emotionally from her diagnosis.
When she did finally return to work, fear and hypervigilance were her constant companions. The frenetic pace of the police station took on a different quality, heavy with recollections of that disastrous day. Years later, Richardson was able to get a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This rare condition left her with visible scars that would scare her for decades to come.
Though these challenges took a toll, Richardson never lost her love of policing — and worked these jobs until 1994. She got off the force because part-time just weren’t available — that’s real too, just weren’t none there. This was particularly hard for new mothers who were in more of a need for flexibility. This choice was a major turning point in her life as well, yet it did not deter her fierce determination to continue helping her brother and sister officers.
In the years that followed, Richardson became a leading figure on the political stage and battlefield for police veterans’ affairs. Her personal journey then took her to become the Chief Executive of Police Veterans Victoria. In this role, she continues to be an outspoken advocate for mental health and wellness for former officers. Her journey has inspired her resolve to make sure the world is a more welcoming place for all who have experienced the same biases and injustices.
In 2023, Richardson went even further, making the remarkable decision to travel to Ukraine in order to help mediate humanitarian exchanges and discussions. This experience inspired her to spread her compassion further by helping those who required it most. It forced her to process and engage with her trauma on a personal level. Facing the remnants of her past in a war-torn country demanded courage and resilience, qualities she had cultivated throughout her life.
Richardson’s story serves as a reminder of the persistent effects trauma can have and the resilience needed to heal. While she dealt with her invisible scars for decades, she continued working to save the lives of others and improve their quality of life. She is personally invested in the mission to protect police veterans’ mental health. This commitment represents a major step in acknowledging the psychological toll their service takes on them.
Richardson has been doing this work, but she’s not done. Now she’s leading the charge to help others heal. In the process, she’s re-defining the dialogue around mental health in policing. She draws from her own experiences to help empower others who are going through what she once did. She’s hoping it will inspire them to get the treatment they deserve.
