The emotive problems are linked to depression and post-traumatic stress that is not spoken about: According to a report of the 153,000 (estimated) SAPS personnel, 10,000 officers suffered from depression and 2700 from post-traumatic stress disorder.

And, as most things that control us, it’s all about the use of language: The social stigma of suicide is regularly referred to as committed – associating it with a criminal act. Police are not skilled with talking about personal issues, especially those associated with shame, and so do not seek help.

Such phrasing may also contribute to why the names of officers who die by suicide are excluded on memorial walls and annual rolls of honour. This, despite some of the officers having served society for years before taking their own life.

If a member of the SAPS is killed while on duty, the family gets paid a death benefit and proceeds from life insurances. But should an officer die by suicide, no compensation benefit is received by the family.

To date, very little research has been done on the causes of police suicide. This needs to change.