Met Police contributed to Biggleswade officer’s suicide – coroner

Giving her findings, Ms Whitting said the MPS “knew or could have discovered” that her PTSD was work-related.

“It is clear to the court that the MPS were aware of Nikki’s mental health history and vulnerabilities,” she said.

“Following Nikki’s decline in her mental health, there were opportunities for Nikki to have been referred at an earlier stage for support and counselling.”

She said that line management decisions – supported by senior leaders – were “at the expense of Nikki’s personal and occupational welfare which contributed to a further significant deterioration in her mental health and, ultimately, to her death.”

The coroner added the worsening of Ms Forster’s mental health was “exacerbated” by the actions of her employer.

During an absence review on July 20 2022, Ms Forster, who was originally from Stockton, told a welfare officer that receiving a “not performing” grade on her recent performance review had “tipped her over the edge”, the court heard.

Ms Forster had been signed off from work approximately three months before her death, and had medication prescribed by her GP.

Ms Webb told the senior leadership team on 6 September 2022 that Ms Forster’s PTSD was not work-related and “should not attract favourable discretion”, and her pay should not be extended as a result, the inquest heard.