Coroner Finds Metropolitan Police Failures Contributed to Officer's Suicide

A coroner has ruled that the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) failures played a significant role in the suicide of Nicola 'Nikki' Forster, a 45-year-old safety training officer who suffered from work-related PTSD. Forster, who was deeply affected by her work during the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, was found dead at her home in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, on September 28, 2022.

Forster's mental health began to decline in autumn 2021 as a result of increasing pressures at work and the loss of access to counseling. Despite discussing an occupational health referral with her line manager, Inspector Hayley Webb, in November 2021, the referral was not progressed until May 2022. By then, Forster had been issued with informal management action.

Why this matters: This ruling highlights the need for organizations to take mental health seriously and provide adequate support to their employees, especially in high-pressure professions. Failure to do so can have devastating consequences, including loss of life, and can also lead to further erosion of trust in institutions.

Coroner Emma Whitting found that the MPS was aware of Forster's mental health history and vulnerabilities. She stated that the MPS knew or could have discovered that her PTSD was work-related. Whitting concluded that line management decisions contributed to a 'further significant deterioration' in Forster's mental health, leading to her tragic demise.

Forster had expressed concerns to her colleagues, stating that Inspector Webb was 'out to get her' and had failed to act on her requests for an occupational health referral. She described Webb as a bully who was 'gunning' for her. On July 20, 2022, Forster told a welfare officer that receiving a 'not performing' grade on her recent performance review had 'tipped her over the edge.'

In a meeting on September 6, 2022, Inspector Webb informed the senior leadership team that Forster's PTSD was not work-related and 'should not attract favourable discretion.' She recommended that Forster's pay should not be extended. Less than a month later, Forster was found dead at her home, having taken her life.

Clare Davies, chief people and resources officer for the Met Police, expressed sorrow over Forster's death and stated that the force would 'carefully work through the coroner's findings to learn any lessons as an organisation.' The Met Police has been investing in improving officer and staff wellbeing, including better trauma support and increased access to counsellors.

The coroner's findings highlight significant failures within the MPS, particularly concerning the handling of mental health issues among its staff. Forster's tragic death highlights the critical need for timely and effective mental health support within high-pressure professions.

Key Takeaways

• MPS failures contributed to Nicola Forster's suicide, a 45-year-old safety training officer with work-related PTSD.
• Forster's mental health declined due to work pressures and lack of access to counseling.
• Line management decisions worsened her mental health, leading to her tragic demise.
• MPS knew of Forster's mental health history and vulnerabilities but failed to provide adequate support.
• The coroner's findings highlight the need for timely and effective mental health support in high-pressure professions.