FOI REF: FOI-2023-1447
You asked
Please could you let me know how I access if possible, information relating to suicide rates amongst both serving and ex Police Officers, particularly the Metropolitan Police Service. I am particularly interested in those being alcohol related but in the interests of Welfare, the overarching figure would be appreciated.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Our mortality statistics are compiled from information supplied when deaths are certified and registered as part of civil registration. This Quality and Methodology Information report has more information detailing the strengths and limitations of the data, methods used, and data uses and users.
We have published several pieces of analysis of suicide in different occupational groups for people aged 20 to 64 years, based on deaths registered in England and Wales.
- Suicide by occupation, England: 2011 to 2015
- Section 9, Suicide in Wales since 1981
- Suicide by occupation, England and Wales, 2011 to 2021 registrations
Occupation is reported at the time of death registration by the informant and this information using the Standard Occupation Classification (SOC 2010). This classification system has 4 levels of granularity, ranging from higher-level groupings to specific occupations. This includes:
- 1172 Senior police officers
- 3312 Police officers (sergeant and below)
3315 Police community support officers
Please see Table 4 in these England and Wales data tables for the number of suicides registered between 2011 and 2021, Figures for 1172 Senior police officers can be found on row 23, 3312 Police officers (sergeant and below) on row 136 and 3315 Police community support officers on row 139.
We do not hold information about suicides in specific police forces or information about suicides in people that were previously police officers. We would suggest that the Metropolitan Police may be better placed to assist with your query. Their FOI team can be contacted at https://www.met.police.uk/foi-ai/af/accessing-information/.