Homicide squad detective who took his own life had been stopped at Perth Airport, Col Blanch confirms

A WA Police officer who is suspected of taking his own life had been stopped at Perth Airport just prior to his death, WA’s top cop has confirmed. Police Commissioner Col Blanch said on Tuesday the homicide squad detective who died was 45-years-old. It is understood the male officer took his own life in the early hours of Monday morning at the homicide squad’s Northbridge headquarters on Stirling Street. In a statement released on Monday, police said the death was being considered non-suspicious. “Information regarding this officer’s death has been shared with his colleagues, and health and welfare support has been offered to all police officers and staff who may be impacted by this tragedy,” the statement said. As previously reported by The West, its understood the officer had been stopped at Perth International Airport on Saturday and police are now investigating if this was somehow connected to the incident. Speaking on radio on Tuesday morning, Mr Blanch said that was correct and that police were now liaising with Australian Border Force officials about that. “He was (stopped) and he was returning from a family event overseas,” Mr Blanch told 6PR. “We don’t know if that is connected in any way to what has occurred, but certainly that is one of the focuses of the investigation at the moment.” Mr Blanch said he did not believe the officer was on duty at the time that he died. “Mr priority at the moment is the welfare of his family, he has family both here and overseas and also the officers, certainly the officers that were present in the building and also colleagues from his career ... our health and welfare area have been deployed throughout the agency,” Mr Blanch said. WA Police Union president Paul Gale said the whole agency and membership were distraught by the loss. “All of our members both here and across Australia will be affected by this,” Mr Gale said. Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death and will compile a report for the Coroner. Lifeline 13 11 14