Commenting after raising the issue at a meeting of the Policing Board on Thursday, he said:
‘‘It is harrowing that many PSNI officers are continuing to face significant delays in accessing occupational health support or securing ill-health retirement.
In recent weeks, I have been contacted by two different serving members of the PSNI expressing utter despair. One officer, completely broken by the pressures of the job, and a lack of effective support within the organisation, admitted to being on the brink of suicide and was only deterred by thoughts of the devastating impact on his children.
The welfare of our police officers must be an absolute priority. These are individuals who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, yet when they need support, it is sorely lacking.
The emotional toll on officers is significant and there ought to be an onus on the PSNI SET to roll-out a model of in-work support that is focused on prevention of poor physical, psychological and social wellbeing, as well as earlier intervention.
The Chief Constable has indicated that he wants to root out potential fraud within the IHR system but that must not be the detriment of a sustained focus on improving outcomes, and access, for those in legitimate and desperate need of care and support.
There must be a robust and effective system in place to ensure that those who serve our communities receive the right help at the right time.’’