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Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Number of stress-related absences at Police Scotland
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request have revealed the number of Police Scotland officers who were absent due to stress-related illness between 2022 and 2025. Data shows that 2584 cops called in sick to work over the issue during this period. Meanwhile, 1269 members of staff were also absent due to stress. Figures provided by the force show a year-on-year increase in the number of both officers and staff having to take time off due to suffering from stress. In 2022/23, Police Scotland recorded 692 officer absences and 349 staff absences. In 2023/24, that number rose to 763 officers and 395 members of staff. Again, in 2024/25, the figure increased to 868 cops and 434 staff members. READ NEXT: Glasgow police at 'breaking point' as 'desperate conditions' exposed Meanwhile, the total number for the 2025/26 period so far is 261 officers and 91 members of staff. Police Scotland noted that there are various services available to officers and staff suffering from stress. These include the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which is a confidential telephone helpline that is open 24/7, 365 days a year. EAP covers both work and personal issues. Employees, volunteers, retired officers, staff, and their direct family members over the age of 16 are all eligible to access the helpline. It is in place to provide them with confidential advice from qualified counsellors. Another service that is available is a Stress Risk Assessment. READ NEXT: More than 400,000 paramedic hours lost due to mental ill health This is for individuals who feel their health is being affected due to either work-related or personal issues. Managers and supervisors can support officers and staff by jointly carrying out a risk assessment using Police Scotland's Individual Stress Risk Assessment Questionnaire & Action Plan and the supporting guidance. If required, supervisors can then take action to support and monitor individuals who have either been identified or informed that they are displaying symptoms of stress. Finally, Police Scotland offers cops and staff access to what they have described as a 'mental health MOT,' also known as 'Your Wellbeing Assessment' (YWA). This is delivered through the force's occupational health providers. The main features of YWA include that it is open to all officers and members of staff, it is voluntary, secure, and confidential. The assessment is reviewed by a member of the Optima Health clinical team, and it is said to potentially lead to early identification of issues and the provision of tailored support. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: "The health and welfare of our officers and staff remains one of Police Scotland's highest priorities, with enhanced provisions from both our Employee Assistance and Your Wellbeing Matters programmes. 'This will be further enhanced through the implementation of our new HR structure with increased resources within our Health and Wellbeing team. 'We also have a range of mechanisms in place to support our employees who are absent from work for any reason. 'We continue to work with our occupational health provider to support police officers and staff in their journey back to health and, subsequently, to work.'
Scottish Sun
28-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
One in ten Scottish cops took sick leave last year with mental health problems
Fears have been raised over the demands of the job 'CONCERNING' One in ten Scottish cops took sick leave last year with mental health problems Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AROUND one in ten Scots cops took sick leave last year with psychological disorders including alcohol and depression problems, new figures reveal. Stats released under FOI laws show 1,596 of 1,987 officers who took sick leave did so because of issues relating to their mental health, with three officers having committed suicide while off duty. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 2 Scottish Police Federation chair David Threadgold said the figures are 'concerning'. Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 2 Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said that Police Scotland is looking to enhance the support it offers. Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd As of December last year, there were 16,508 full-time equivalent police officers working in Scotland, with the number rising to 16,631 in March 2025. Scottish Police Federation chair David Threadgold has called for a more proactive approach to be taken to help officers struggling with the demands of the job. He told the Scottish Sun: 'The figures are extremely concerning, but unfortunately they're not a surprise to me. 'The challenge we face in the organisation is about being proactive in dealing with the stresses and strains of being in the police. 'We know that cops are going to experience trauma. I think the statistics are the average person will see one or two traumatic events, cops will see 300 or 400 over their service.' It comes just weeks after a harrowing film, Relentless, was released by the SPF to give the public an insight into the gruelling challenges faced by cops here. The four-minute flick draws on the real-life experiences of frontline officers, including Craig Purdon who serves in the east end of Glasgow — and who admitted it is 'hard to switch off' after shifts. Scottish Tory Shadow Justice Secretary Liam Kerr said: 'The SNP must commit to investing in proactive mental health support for our police before things get even worse.' Scottish Labour's justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill added: 'The SNP must ensure any officer struggling with the stress of the job is able to access the right support.' Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said Police Scotland was working to enhance its health offering to officers with 'our Employee Assistance and Your Wellbeing Matters programmes'. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Staff and officers can access a range of services to support physical and mental wellbeing."
