Officers who are under investigation need to be treated with compassion, the chair of Hampshire Police Federation has said.
This comes after the new chief constable, Alexis Boon, told the Echo he hopes the force will handle cases "better and more effectively" after two officers died while subject to gross misconduct investigations.
PC Alex Hazlett-Beard, a response officer based in Southampton, died on February 11, and PC Claire Browne, who had worked in the Southampton area since 2006, died on July 7.
Both had been arrested.
READ MORE: Hampshire police chief calls for more officer safeguarding
Spencer Wragg, chairman of the federation and head of the suicide trauma education prevention campaign, said: "The federation has been supporting both families of the officers who have died and continues to support them.
"We are also supporting our police colleagues, as the impact of these deaths has hit them hard."
A review of Hampshire Constabulary's professional standards department is being conducted by the Police and Crime Commissioner's office.
Mr Wragg said: "We have to work within police regulations, which can be somewhat archaic at times.
"As a federation, we look for investigations to be dealt with compassionately and as quickly and efficiently as possible.
"I think the proportionality of some investigations also needs to be considered."
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Mr Wragg added that officers under investigation “sometimes feel isolated and even ostracised from their friends and colleagues within the organisation, and that’s something that needs to be addressed urgently”.
Figures from the Police Federation of England and Wales reveal that between 2022 and 2024, 55 officers took their own lives, 32 of whom were under investigation.
At least 106 officers attempted suicide, 57 of whom were under investigation.
Mr Wragg added: "My advice to colleagues who are currently under investigation is to talk to your friends, family, colleagues, or the federation about how you’re feeling, what you need, and what support you need to access.
"Reach out for support with your mental health and don’t suffer in silence.
“When you’re under investigation, you’re often told that you can’t talk about the allegation itself, but you don’t need to talk about that.
"Forces should help officers understand what they can and can’t talk about, because trying to deal with all of these things on your own is not helping anyone.”
Call Samaritans on 116 123 for support.
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