Mental health support for rural police is under the spotlight after a probationary constable tragically took his own life on the side of a highway, months after being stationed in a remote Outback town.
'I'm sorry,' the officer wrote as he transferred $15,000 to his partner shortly before ending his life the day before her birthday.
The 23-year-old was found dead in his locked police vehicle in the early hours of September 6, 2023 in northwest NSW.
An inquest into his death got underway on Monday.
It will examine mental health support and resources offered by NSW Police to officers sent to isolated areas.
The Lidcombe Coroners Court was told the Central Coast man had finished police training and in July 2023 was transferred to Bourke, a rural town around 800km from Sydney.
The young officer and his relatives - many of whom attended court on Monday - cannot be identified for legal reasons.
His induction at Bourke was delayed and he was not able to always tag along with his assigned field training and assessment officer due to staffing shortages, the inquest was told.
A probationary constable wrote 'I'm sorry' shortly before taking his life on the side of a highway after being stationed in Bourke
The town of Brewarrina in Outback northwest NSW about 100km north of Bourke
The fledgling officer had been sent 100km north from Bourke to work at a police station in Brewarrina due to staffing shortages on the shift when he took his own life, Judge Kasey Pearce heard.
'Enjoy your shift babe. I love you,' his partner texted. 'I love you too,' he replied.
Counsel assisting Christine Melis acknowledged the young man's death was tragic, traumatic and jarring to family and colleagues.
He had persevered to complete police training despite medical issues, wanting to use his interest in computers to join the cybercrime unit.
While Bourke was not one of his preferences, he accepted the posting believing he would have to stick it out for two years before being transferred to his chosen station, Ms Melis said.
None of his colleagues noted any mental health issues, but his partner told the inquest she found him crying in his computer chair at home, saying he would kill himself.
She described him as depressed, lonely and anxious after the move, noting he spent more time playing video games and neglected to exercise.
Two weeks prior to his death, the probationary constable signed up with the NSW Police Provident Fund, a charity that makes lump-sum payments to the dependants of officers who die on duty.
The fledgling officer had been sent 100km north from Bourke to work at a police station in Brewarrina (file image above) on the shift he took his life
However, Ms Melis said there was no evidence he planned on dying by suicide at the time.
The court was told the officer had plans for the future, including buying an SUV to explore the Outback region and was organising a trip for his partner's birthday.
As well as mental health resources, the inquest will examine short-staffing at remote locations, the process of allocating probationary constables to rural towns and the adequacy of training for these officers.
Since his death, Ms Melis said NSW Police have embedded a mental health clinician within the Central North Police District and improved training for new constables.
Treating psychologists are also available to support students posted to locations they had not requested.
The hearing continues.
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