Officer Mel Cooper, retired after almost 30 years of service on the police force. Here, he looks back on a career that has been as challenging as it has been gratifying. Joining the New South Wales (NSW) Police at the age of 19, Cooper dedicated a significant portion of life to law enforcement. His story shines a light on the emotional and psychological toll that comes with being an officer. It plays out on a canvas of increased trauma and changing vocational landscapes.
Cooper’s exit is part of a disturbing trend within law enforcement, as experienced officers are re-evaluating their futures. He expressed a lingering sense of loss regarding his work, stating, “I’m still grieving the loss of my career.” His concerns are echoed by others in the police force, as many police officers struggle with the mental health impact of their work.
Jayne, who recently became a police officer at age 52, she proves that you’re never too young (or old!) to be in public service! It was an impressive jump into a new career, with her undergoing an intense 28-week training program with Tasmania Police. She considers this demanding program the equivalent of 2/3 of an associate degree. “I’m hoping to be around for another ten years,” she remarked, expressing optimism for her future in law enforcement.
Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree says it’s critical to back officers during their toughest days. He has committed 30 years to the service of the NSW Police Force. “We have an onus and obligation as an organization to do whatever we can in that space because it’s a really hard, challenging job,” he stated. Greentree knows that tackling mental health challenges is just as important for recruiting as it is for retaining officers. “If we get that right — forever working on it — I think that goes a long way to not only attracting, but retaining as well,” he added.
The mental health crisis within law enforcement is underscored by alarming statistics from Peter McGee, senior vice president of the Western Australia (WA) Police Union. Our internal survey showed that more than one out of three of our respondents are suffering from PTSD. This underscores the enormous reach of the illness among those we surveyed. In addition, he said, 25 percent of them who reported having PTSD were at a life-threatening level and needed immediate care. “I can’t see anybody doing this job for more than five or 10 years without witnessing a number of traumatic experiences,” McGee asserted.
Greg just recently went back to work after a near-fatal accident on the job. He is living proof of the physical and emotional damage that such experiences can do to a body. Last year, he was critically injured after being dragged 50 feet before ending up under a truck. His injuries went far beyond superficial scrapes and bruises—a punctured lung, lacerated liver, 18 broken ribs, and a broken ankle. He is now similarly afflicted with crushing power to his right arm which is still numb below the elbow. “I lost count of the number of corpses I’ve seen,” McGee reflected, illustrating the heavy burden officers carry.
Prior to his police service, Greg was truck driver and chemical tanker operator in Western Australia. His return-to-work has been more gradual, as he is still working just two days a week. Even with his tremendous resolve, he’s shown still to this day grappling with the fallout from his injuries and the emotional toll. “I just think I need to restore faith back into myself and just be assured that I’m going to do the best that I can do,” Jayne said, alluding to her dedication to her new profession despite entering it relatively late in life.
Cooper’s experience further illuminates the culture, she argues, within police departments when it comes to mental health. Beyond the danger of simply asking for help, he described feeling limited by the fear of career fallout for even reporting dangerous incidents. “I worry that if you put your hand up — the second you identify that you’re struggling in any way, shape or form, or you have any issues – you become a liability,” he said. This is a sentiment that rings true to a systemic issue in law enforcement in which asking for help is seen as weak or cowardly.
Greentree challenged this idea by arguing that people shouldn’t feel ashamed to ask for help. “If you put your hand up and you ask for help, you’re not a liability,” he emphasized, reinforcing the need for an open dialogue about mental health within the force.
In addition, these officers are presented with many pitfalls in their professional and personal lives. Their candid stories shed light on the challenges of working and living as law enforcement. The transition from active duty to retirement or career change can be fraught with emotional challenges, underscoring the importance of mental health support.
