Essex Police officers took 11,000 sick days due to stress

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ESSEX Police officers took more than 11,000 sick days due to stress last year, double the number taken four years ago.

A total of 11,238 days were lost to stress in the 2013/14 financial year, compared to 5,137 in 2009/10, according to figures from the force.

Stress accounted for more than a quarter of all days lost to sickness in the year, said Mark Smith, chairman of the Essex Police Federation.

“I am not shocked, and I think it is worse than that as there will be days lost through upset stomachs, migraines or cardiac problems all caused by but not necessarily recorded as stress,” he said.

Mr Smith put the increase in stress levels down to the cuts imposed upon the police service, which began in 2010, adding that there are also a number of officers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Officer numbers have fallen by more than 10 per cent from 3,537 in April 2009 to 3,177 at the end of January this year.

The figures, which were issued by the force following a Freedom of Information request by the East Anglian Daily Times, showed that 10,007 days had been lost to stress in this financial year up to 31 January 2015, which suggests that the total number for 2014/15 may increase again from last year.

“It will get worse depending on where we go with further cuts as officers are expected to do more and more,” said Mr Smith. “As the title of our campaign says, cuts have consequences, and officer numbers are expected to fall to 3,000 by the end of next year.

“It is a vicious circle. The more people go off sick the more work there is to be picked up by those who are there.”

A force spokesman said the force’s performance improvement unit is looking at whether there are common themes behind the absences.

“The senior management team and HR department work together to ensure everyone who works for Essex Police is being fully supported,” he said. “By its nature policing is a stressful job. That’s why it is important all officers and staff are given the welfare support they need.”