Urgent pleas from the Tasmania's police association for increased psychological support for a stressed-out police force - leading some to take their own lives - have been heard by the state government, who have given $1.5 million to address the pressing issue.
The Police Association of Tasmania called for extra assistance after a high incidence of psychological injury workers compensation claims amongst the force.
Premier Peter Gutwein said a greater level of support for police officers in the North and North West, and faster access to psychological services will be rolled out on April 1.
This included a clinical psychologist, to meet increasing service demand in the North and North West, four wellbeing officers, an education and training officer, and an organisational psychologist to assist with recruitment.
"This expert capability will mean better early identification of officers who are at risk of mental illness and it will mean faster response and intervention to support officers in acute need," he said.
Police Association of Tasmania president Colin Riley said there are significant well-being issues being experienced by its members, with 8.4 per cent of the force making workers compensation claims.
This included 49 officers with claims for psychological injury, 37 of which are fully incapacitated.
He said there are nine officers in the last 19 months who have had significant workers compensation payouts who are unable to return to work due to their psychological injury.
"In the last four and a half years there has been six members that I am aware of who have attempted to take their own lives. Four who have," Mr Riley said.
"We know members are exposed to high-stress situation as part of daily policing - traumatic scenes, violence and emotionally-charged incidents," he said.
Mr Riley said the association is calling for mandated psychological assessments, reasonable workloads and better processes for workers compensation claims.
