MORE than 1,600 police officers in West Yorkshire have taken sick leave over the past four years due to mental health-related illness.

Ben Pearson, a former Bradford police officer who appeared on the Channel 5 television show Police Interceptors, has spoken openly about his struggles.

He retired from the force after being diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety - now he's determined no-one else should suffer in the way he did.

The numbers hit a high in 2018 when 418 police officers were on leave. This dipped to 397 the following year, while in 2020, the figure rose to 416. Last year, 389 officers were on sick leave because of mental health-related illness.

Ben said: “The words mental health send shivers down most people’s backs.

“Not only as an employer but also as an employee. No one wants to really admit there’s an issue and most shy away from the fact that it is never going away.

“This is clear from the numbers provided by West Yorkshire Police, to show how many officers have been sick due to mental health issues.” 

He added: “These issues can range from anything such as losing a family member, going through personal issues at home, or the fact that work as a police officer is just overstretched, undermanned, and underappreciated.

“Most officers don’t have a venting system and will keep the fact that they are struggling deep inside for none to see.

“This itself only leads to greater issues, more stress, and bigger anxiety."

Ben added: "Officers should never be afraid of losing their posts, or specialist positions that they have worked so hard for in the job and should feel that it’s ok to talk and discuss their issues at home or work."

“But most importantly they should feel that they can trust their colleagues and bosses, who should aim them at the right place to help or their illnesses.”

He encouraged officers to see the signs a colleague may be struggling and give them a safe space to talk.

“It’s not about knocking people when they are down but helping lift them back up to where they want to be,” he said.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Mental health-related illness may be caused by a number of contributory factors such as health, domestic, financial or work related.

“The force, through a number of pathways, supports employees with mental health-related issues.”