WA Police in mourning after serving Constable takes her own life in Albany

A serving WA Police officer has tragically died after she took her own life in regional WA. The officer passed away at her Albany home early on Wednesday morning. The West Australian has been told the officer — a constable aged in her late 20s — took her own life. At the request of her family and WA Police, The West has chosen not to name the officer. In a statement posted on social media, the WA Police Union said it was providing support to the officer’s family, colleagues and friends. “It is with overwhelming sadness that we mourn the loss of a member of the blue family today,” the statement said. “A serving police constable passed away this morning. “The WA Police Union extend our sincerest condolences to the constable’s family, friends and colleagues during this time.” A WA Police spokesperson told The West the young officer’s death was being treated as non-suspicious and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. A broadcast sent out on Wednesday by Acting WA Police Commissioner Kylie Whiteley to all police officers described the officer’s passing as a tragedy. “Family members and staff within the Great Southern Police District are in the process of being provided with support during this tragic time,” Acting Commissioner Whiteley wrote. “I ask you to reach out if you need help ... keep an eye on those around you and offer your personal support where needed.” In recent years WA Police has lost several officers to suicide. In 2019, Senior Constable Dave Curtis took his own life. He was aged just 53. In mid-2021 the agency was rocked after two serving officers — including a sergeant who ran his own station — took their own lives in the space of a fortnight. One of those officers was Const. Cameron Fyfe. He was just 27-years-old. An inquest held last year examined the events leading up to the 27-year-old’s death. On the opening day of the inquest, the Coroner’s Court was told Const. Fyfe hid his mental health battles from his superiors for years because he feared there would be repercussions for seeking help. The death of Const. Fyfe and that of his colleague a few days later — Sergeant Randall Moulden — led to an outpouring of grief within and outside the force. Their deaths also sparked then-police commissioner Chris Dawson to convene the first-ever police mental health forum. Bluehope.org.au Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636