Understanding Grief Experiences Among Police Officers Who Deliver Death by Suicide Notifications
Tracks
Marquis Room - In Person Only
| Monday, March 2, 2026 |
| 1:05 PM - 1:35 PM |
| Marquis |
Overview
Leo McKenzie & Tim De Goey, Military And Emergency Services Health Australia
Details
Three Key Learnings:
Identify the lived experiences of police officers who have delivered death by suicide notifications, with a focus on translating details on the specific form of grief experienced before, during, and after the notification. Outline the perspectives of police officers and StandBy Support After Suicide staff on the impacts of suicide bereavement among police officers. Propose key resources and supports that stakeholders could use to address the experiences and needs of police officers impacted by suicide and suicide bereavement, particularly in the context of delivering death by suicide notifications.
Identify the lived experiences of police officers who have delivered death by suicide notifications, with a focus on translating details on the specific form of grief experienced before, during, and after the notification. Outline the perspectives of police officers and StandBy Support After Suicide staff on the impacts of suicide bereavement among police officers. Propose key resources and supports that stakeholders could use to address the experiences and needs of police officers impacted by suicide and suicide bereavement, particularly in the context of delivering death by suicide notifications.
Speaker
Mr Tim De Goey
Partnership Coordinator
StandBy Support After Suicide
Understanding Grief Experiences Among Police Officers Who Deliver Death by Suicide Notifications
Presentation Overview
Background: When a person dies by suicide, police officers are often required to deliver a death notification to the deceased persons loved ones. The emotional intensity of this moment has both immediate and long-term impacts on the notifier of the death and the bereaved person. Delivering a considerate notification is one of the most difficult and least liked tasks for police officers to perform due to its associated with stress and inadequate training. Despite the recognition of these impacts, little research has explored how police officers may experience and process grief in this context. Therefore, the aims of this study include:
1) To understand the lived experiences of police officers regarding their experiences of grief when delivering a death notifications in which the deceased persons cause of death was a confirmed or suspected suicide.
2) To explore the perspectives of StandBy Support After Suicide staff on the impacts of suicide and suicide bereavement on the police officers, particularly in the context of delivering death by suicide notifications.
Methods: A qualitative design will be employed to investigate this topic, using three semi-structured focus groups with police officers and StandBy Support After Suicide staff. An interpretative phonological analysis will be conducted to capture the experiences and perceived needs of police officers who deliver death by suicide notifications.
Expected Outcomes: This study will provide insights into how grief manifests for police officers when they are exposed to suicide and suicide bereavement, with a focus on the impacts of delivering death by suicide notifications. Ultimately, this research hopes to strengthen police officers wellbeing and enhance suicide postvention practices within policing and community support services.
1) To understand the lived experiences of police officers regarding their experiences of grief when delivering a death notifications in which the deceased persons cause of death was a confirmed or suspected suicide.
2) To explore the perspectives of StandBy Support After Suicide staff on the impacts of suicide and suicide bereavement on the police officers, particularly in the context of delivering death by suicide notifications.
Methods: A qualitative design will be employed to investigate this topic, using three semi-structured focus groups with police officers and StandBy Support After Suicide staff. An interpretative phonological analysis will be conducted to capture the experiences and perceived needs of police officers who deliver death by suicide notifications.
Expected Outcomes: This study will provide insights into how grief manifests for police officers when they are exposed to suicide and suicide bereavement, with a focus on the impacts of delivering death by suicide notifications. Ultimately, this research hopes to strengthen police officers wellbeing and enhance suicide postvention practices within policing and community support services.
Biography
As a Partnership Coordinator with StandBy Support After Suicide (StandBy) I lead the Priority Populations for First Responders, Veterans and Men. With a prior 15 year Police carrier I focus on what it is like for Police and their experience with Suicide. My focus is to identify and these unique areas and work toward build supports and recourses. I feel it is the responsibility of those who no longer stand on the front line to support those who still do.
Mr Leo Mckenzie
Research Assistant
Military And Emergency Services Health Australia
Understanding Grief Experiences Among Police Officers Who Deliver Death by Suicide Notifications
Presentation Overview
Background: When a person dies by suicide, police officers are often required to deliver a death notification to the deceased persons loved ones. The emotional intensity of this moment has both immediate and long-term impacts on the notifier of the death and the bereaved person. Delivering a considerate notification is one of the most difficult and least liked tasks for police officers to perform due to its associated with stress and inadequate training. Despite the recognition of these impacts, little research has explored how police officers may experience and process grief in this context. Therefore, the aims of this study include:
1) To understand the lived experiences of police officers regarding their experiences of grief when delivering a death notifications in which the deceased persons cause of death was a confirmed or suspected suicide.
2) To explore the perspectives of StandBy Support After Suicide staff on the impacts of suicide and suicide bereavement on the police officers, particularly in the context of delivering death by suicide notifications.
Methods: A qualitative design will be employed to investigate this topic, using three semi-structured focus groups with police officers and StandBy Support After Suicide staff. An interpretative phonological analysis will be conducted to capture the experiences and perceived needs of police officers who deliver death by suicide notifications.
Expected Outcomes: This study will provide insights into how grief manifests for police officers when they are exposed to suicide and suicide bereavement, with a focus on the impacts of delivering death by suicide notifications. Ultimately, this research hopes to strengthen police officers wellbeing and enhance suicide postvention practices within policing and community support services.
1) To understand the lived experiences of police officers regarding their experiences of grief when delivering a death notifications in which the deceased persons cause of death was a confirmed or suspected suicide.
2) To explore the perspectives of StandBy Support After Suicide staff on the impacts of suicide and suicide bereavement on the police officers, particularly in the context of delivering death by suicide notifications.
Methods: A qualitative design will be employed to investigate this topic, using three semi-structured focus groups with police officers and StandBy Support After Suicide staff. An interpretative phonological analysis will be conducted to capture the experiences and perceived needs of police officers who deliver death by suicide notifications.
Expected Outcomes: This study will provide insights into how grief manifests for police officers when they are exposed to suicide and suicide bereavement, with a focus on the impacts of delivering death by suicide notifications. Ultimately, this research hopes to strengthen police officers wellbeing and enhance suicide postvention practices within policing and community support services.
Biography
As a early career researcher at Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), a charity of the Hospital Research Foundation, I lead and contribute to research projects examining the experiences and perspectives of military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their families. My primary research focus is on suicide postvention, with involvement in current and forthcoming publications on the lived experiences of coworkers and family members who are bereaved by a first responder’s death by suicide.
