Taxpayers cough up £37million for police stress

Taxpayers cough up £37million for police stress

Police officers took 225,000 days off for stress last year, costing the taxpayer £37million.

It means that the equivalent of 600 staff a day called in sick with mental health problems such as stress-related depression or anxiety.

The figures for England and Wales, which exclude those absent with ordinary illnesses or officers on paid leave awaiting disciplinary hearings, also show that more than 40 officers took the entire year off.

Critics pointed out that the numbers, obtained through Freedom of Information legislation, were far higher than in the private sector. They said it was a cause for serious concern.

600 policemen call in sick every day with stress...and it costs the taxpayer £37million (Daily Mail, 1 August 2009)