LJMU experts tackle rising suicide rates in police

LJMU’s expertise in suicide prevention is being brought to bear on rising rates on deaths among police officers.

Psychologists and policing experts were among a delegation to Spain this week to help tackle a growing issue with the national police force, the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil).

In the first eight months of 2024, 16 police officers took their own lives – the same number as the whole of 2023, according to Infobae Espana.

LJMU’s input follows a landmark agreement in April 2024 when the Civil Guard agreed to work with LJMU on a range of research and training issues. 

At a roundtable in Madrid, LJMU co-organised a discussion ‘Suicide Prevention in Policing’ with the Psychology Service of the Civil Guard, welcoming more than 300 delegates from across Spain.

The panel featured contributions from Professor of Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Pooja Saini, Dr Carol Cox (Head of the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies), and Andy Rhodes OBE QPM, Director of the National Police Wellbeing Service for England and Wales (Oscar Kilo).

Colonel José Luis Álvarez, Head of the Psychology Service of the Civil Guard, said: "This was a unique and high-impact event, bringing together police officers and commanders with extensive practical experience and responsibilities in their respective services, alongside highly esteemed academics.

“Understanding and exploring in depth what different forces in different countries are doing is essential to addressing this critical and devastating issue.”

Dr Ricardo Tejeiro, of LJMU, coordinator of the collaboration agreement, said: “The exceptional calibre of the speakers has enabled us to share experiences, knowledge, and insights in a unique and meaningful way. Through this high-profile activity, LJMU has positioned itself at the forefront of academic collaboration in this area.”

The initiative will continue in March in Liverpool, when LJMU’s School of Psychology will host a roundtable on wellbeing and mental health of police officers involved in investigations of child abuse material.

Dr Carol Cox, in LCAPS, has been working with Oscar Kilo on combatting police officer health and wellbeing issues.

MAIN IMAGE: Officer Javier Muñoz, Prof Pooja Saini, Dr Ricardo Tejeiro, Dr Carol Cox, Andy Rhodes OBE, and Major Benito Florido.