‘Trauma trackers’ to monitor toll of job on police officers in England and Wales
Summary
Police forces in England and Wales will soon have to use “trauma trackers” to record officers’ exposure to traumatic events. These digital tools help identify officers and staff who experience psychological stress from their work, aiming to provide support before problems worsen.Key Facts
- Trauma trackers link each officer’s ID to difficult incidents they attend, creating a digital record of trauma exposure.
- A 2018 study found over 90% of UK police officers have faced traumatic events, and 20% showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- The new system scans crime records for serious incidents like fatal crashes and child abuse to identify staff who may need help.
- It also reviews up to 20 years of past data to understand the cumulative effect of trauma over a career.
- Not only frontline officers but also back-office staff like call takers and crime scene investigators can face trauma.
- The tracker helps supervisors see an individual’s trauma history, especially as officers often change roles.
- Officers can opt out, and the system is designed to start conversations about mental health rather than punish.
- The data may help secure more funding for mental health support in police forces by 2026.
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