Cameron Fyfe: State Coroner hands down findings following tragic death of WA cop who took his own life in 2021

The State Coroner says there is an “ongoing need” to reduce the stigma of mental health issues inside WA Police following the tragic death of a young WA cop who took his own life. State Coroner Ros Fogliani says the force also needs to “explore further options for proactively checking in with police officers in connection with their mental health and wellbeing”. The coroner made the comments in a report released on Friday, following the 2021 death of Const. Cameron Fyfe. Const. Fyfe spent almost 10 years in the force before he took his own life in June 2021. A coroner’s inquest into his death last year examined the events leading up to the 27-year-old’s death — which included why he was able to take home his police-issued firearm — as well as exploring the stigma surrounding using mental health services provided by the WA Police. In her 53 page report handed down on Friday Ms Fogliani said WA Police had made “significant” improvements in the way it handles and manages mental health issues among officers. “Nonetheless, the reduction of stigma in relation to seeking help in the mental health area is an important and ongoing need,” she said, adding there was “room for improvement” in several areas. The coroner made four recommendations in total in her report. WA Police says it already implementing all four. One of the recommendations was that WA Police “take all reasonable steps to ensure a comprehensive mental health risk assessment” is prepared in relation to every police officer who is to join the Traffic Motorcycle Group and who is to be authorised to store their police issued gun at home. “In the case of police officers who are already in the Traffic Motorcycle Group and who have already been authorised to store their police issued firearm at their home, they should be strongly encouraged to participate in the above comprehensive mental health risk assessments,” the coroner said. The coroner has also recommended WA Police “consider the development of a comprehensive and ongoing strategy to reduce stigma” within the force in relation to mental health. One of her other recommendations was that WA Police explore further options for “proactively checking in with police officers in connection with their mental health and wellbeing at various stages of their employment.” On the opening day of last year’s inquest the Coroner’s Court was told that Const. Fyfe hid his mental health battles from his superiors for years because he feared there would be repercussions for seeking help. “It is my hope that the cultural change within the Western Australia Police Force, that was emerging at the time of Cameron’s death, and that has gathered momentum since his death, would now encourage someone in Cameron’s position to seek help,” the Coroner said in her report. The Coroner said she was satisfied that there have been significant steps taken in the “dissemination of information” about the mental health services offered by the WA Police Health, Welfare and Safety Division. “Nonetheless, this is an area of pressing need,” she said. In response to the Coroner’s report, WA Police said in a statement: “The WA Police Force remains dedicated to the health and wellbeing of its staff, with the Coroner’s recommendations already in progress to be implemented.” Lifeline 13 11 14