'BiH Police Officers Network': Alarming Number of Suicides Among Colleagues in the Past 15 Years

(Patria) - The association "Police Officers Network in BiH" issued a statement following the tragic news of the death of a Border Police officer of BiH.

The association expressed deep condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased.

"Such events remind us once again of the weight and complexity of the police profession, but also of the serious and often neglected issue of mental health among police officers.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. In the past 15 years, an alarming number of suicides among police officers in BiH has been recorded.

Although it is rarely discussed publicly, this is a continuous problem that requires a systemic, institutional, and societal response," the statement said.

They emphasize that police officers are daily exposed to stress, traumatic situations, pressures of responsibility, and often inadequate working conditions.

Despite this, they add, psychological support in many police agencies is not sufficiently developed, is not systemically regulated, or remains stigmatized.

The association notes that it has already recognized this issue and prepared the project "Strengthening Psychological Support for Police Officers."

The goal of the project, as they state, is to improve the availability of psychological support within police structures, destigmatize seeking help among police officers, establish mandatory preventive and counseling programs, and propose amendments to laws and by-laws to systemically regulate psychological protection.

"We believe it is high time that the mental health of police officers is treated as a matter of professional safety, not personal weakness. Institutions must take a more active role, and society must show more understanding and support.

We call on the competent authorities, police agencies, and decision-makers to urgently initiate concrete measures to prevent future tragedies. Every lost life is an irreplaceable loss - for the family, colleagues, and the entire society.

The association remains committed to advocating for solutions and providing support to police officers, with the hope that such events will be a catalyst for real and lasting changes," concludes the statement of the "Police Officers Network in BiH."