This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: More than one-third of Western Australia's police officers report symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new research led by Edith Cowan University (ECU) and published in the journal Australian Psychologist has found. The Blue Poppy Study, a collaboration between ECU, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia (UWA), surveyed 1,278 serving police officers, representing almost 20% of the WA Police workforce.
The study found 38.3% were experiencing PTSD symptoms, compared with 5.6% of the general Australian population. Researchers found these outcomes were associated with frequent exposure to traumatic events. The study also identified widespread mental health challenges beyond PTSD.
Almost one in four officers reported severe psychological distress, while nearly half reported low levels of well-being. The findings come as WA police face growing exposure to traumatic incidents, raising urgent questions about the mental health impact of modern policing. For example, serious assaults across the state have more than tripled over the past 24 years, increasing from 14,198 incidents in 1999–2000 to 48,811 in 2023–24.
ECU researcher and lead author Dr. Daniel Talbot said the findings highlighted the psychological cost of repeated exposure to trauma. "This study shows the cumulative impact of trauma can be substantial," Talbot said.
"Police officers witness events that most Australians will never encounter in their lifetime, often repeatedly over many years of service." Participants reported that their greatest source of support came from their spouses, followed by their colleagues—while superiors were rated the least supportive. "Peer support appears to make a real difference in reducing the impact of trauma," Murdoch University's Professor Peter Drummond said. "We can't eliminate traumatic incidents from policing, but we can ensure officers have the support and resources needed to process those experiences and seek help early." The Blue Poppy Study is believed to be the first time the prevalence of PTSD in WA's police force has been published.
The researchers hope the study's findings will be used by service providers and support services to develop programs and strategies to improve the mental well-being of police officers. "These results demonstrate that psychological injury is not an isolated issue affecting a small number of officers. It is a workforce-wide challenge that requires an urgent response, and police officers need access to effective support, early intervention and evidence-based treatment," Talbot said.
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