Police chiefs announce mandatory recording of officer suicides after sergeant takes own life

EXCLUSIVE: Police chiefs announce mandatory recording of officer suicides after sergeant takes own lifeBen Websdale killed himself while he was being investigated for misconduct resulting in a coroner recommending major changes to how forces deal with suicideNewsTom Pettifor Crime Editor10:16, 14 Apr 2026View 4 ImagesSgt Ben Websdale's death has sparked change Mandatory recording of all police suicides is being introduced following a coroner's report into the death of an sergeant who took his won life while under investigation.‌More than 70 officers committed suicide since 2022 amid warnings of a mental health crisis in policing due to increased work pressures and rising misconduct allegations.‌Sergeant Ben Websdale, 50, was found dead by his ex-wife after he was told Sussex Police had handed an investigation into his conduct to the police watchdog in January last year.‌An inquest heard a vulnerable woman claimed he was Facebook friends with her while she was experiencing a mental health crisis.View 4 ImagesSgt Ben Websdale took his own life while under investigationREAD MORE: Stephen Lawrence's dad braces for fresh battle over son's racist murderREAD MORE: Tot beaten to death by mum's ex-solider boyfriend after months of abuseThe woman had later tried to take her own life in prison. Less than two hours later, Sgt Websdale was arrested at Eastbourne police station, where he had turned up for an overtime shift on Oct 23 2024.‌His inquest heard he was already traumatised after his involvement in the death of a young male prisoner who took his own life. Representatives of the estate of Mr Websdale last month lodged civil proceedings against Sussex Police, High Court records show.It comes after senior coroner, Penelope Schofield, published a prevention of further deaths report in February calling on all police forces to record officer suicides and ensure staff are given suicide trauma education training. The Mirror can now reveal that the Nation...