Simon Graham DARKE
Simon Graham DARKE
AKA ?
Late of Caitlin Court Midway Point, Tasmania
Tasmania Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
Tasmania Police Force
Regd. # ?????
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Constable
Stations: ?, Southern Road and Public Order Services
Service: From ? ? 2009? to 6 February 2019 = 10 years Service
Awards: No find on Australian Honours
Born: ? ? ?
Died between: ( between Tuesday 5 Feb 2019 & ) Wednesday 6 February 2019
Age: 45
Cause: Depression – Suicide – ( Method ? )
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Friday 15 February 2019 @ 3pm
Funeral location: Turnbull Funerals, 71 Letitia St, North Hobart, Tasmania
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: Turnbull Funerals, Nth Hobart, ( 03 ) 6234 4711
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
SIMONE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
May they forever Rest In Peace
Coroner urges six-monthly welfare checks after inquest into four police suicide deaths
- In short: A Hobart coroner who investigated the deaths of four police officers who took their own lives has recommended Tasmania Police conduct mandatory half-yearly well-being screenings for PTSD.
- What’s next? The Police commissioner says work will continue with the police association to implement changes
The family of one of four Tasmanian police officers who died by suicide between 2016 and 2020 say they hope the findings of a coronial inquest may prevent a similar tragedy in the future.
Coroner Simon Cooper has handed down his findings into the deaths of Constable Paul Hunt, Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds, Constable Simon Darke and Sergeant Robert Cooke, recommending a swathe of welfare supports be implemented.
WARNING: This story touches on themes of depression and suicide.
During last year’s hearings, the court was told how overworked officers were self-medicating with alcohol and drugs, and of significant shortfalls in welfare support — particularly in areas such as fatigue management and protocols around interactions with the Professional Standards Command.
In his findings, Coroner Cooper, acknowledged the fact that these men were all serving police officers was “only part of the whole picture” of their lives, but he said he had “no doubt” that “Sergeant Cooke‘s police service was the direct cause of his death“.
But he said the provision of welfare support and whether it was adequate was a “central consideration at the inquest.”
He called for Tasmania Police to immediately develop and implement a fatigue management policy saying it was essential it was “addressed urgently”.
The inquest heard Robert Cooke had reportedly worked “16-hour continuous shifts for four weeks” during the Central Highlands bushfires in 2019.
This had left him “exhausted and barely functioning towards the end of the third week”.
“Tasmania Police had no fatigue management policy at any time, up to and including as recently as when the evidence at the inquest was publicly taken at the end of 2022,” he said.
“The absence of any fatigue management policy was, I consider, a direct factor in Sergeant Cooke’s death.”
The coroner also recommended six-monthly screenings of all operation police officers for post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Sergeant Cooke obviously suffered from the effects of PTSD for a long time before it was diagnosed,” he said.
“Every health care professional who gave evidence … unanimously agreed that his PTSD was entirely attributable to his service as a police officer.
“Every health care professional also agreed that earlier detection of PTSD increases the chances of successful treatment and recovery.”
Tasmania Police investigating the feasibility of “introducing a points system”, whereby an officer’s exposure to severe incidents would be tracked, was also recommended.
When a “critical points threshold” was reached, an automatic referral to a psychologist should be triggered, Coroner Cooper said.
The coroner also called for better support for officers under investigation for misconduct — including ensuring that those who had their phone seized by Professional Standards be given a replacement mobile pre-programmed with well-being support numbers.
“The death of any member of the community by suicide is a tragedy,” Coroner Cooper said.
“The suicide of serving police officers, whatever their individual circumstances, is particularly tragic for serving members of the police force and the community at large.
“My sincere hope is that some improvements and learnings can emerge from the deaths of Constable Hunt, Senior Sergeant Reynolds, Constable Darke and Sergeant Cooke.”
Families welcome findings
In a statement, Robert Cooke‘s mother Lyn and sister Michelle said they were satisfied with the findings, particularly the recommendations for a fatigue management policy and screenings for PTSD stress disorder.
“The family miss Rob terribly and hope the findings and increased support for mental health may prevent similar events in the future,” they said.
“[Our] thoughts are with all the families involved in this inquest.”
Commissioner committed to ‘safe model of policing’
Police Commissioner Donna Adams acknowledged it was a difficult time for the families and colleagues impacted by the coronial report.
She said improvements had already been made within Tasmania Police.
Strategies included “a strong peer support group, and a critical stress program” to ensure officers could access the help they needed.
But she said changes wouldn’t end there — and that Tasmania Police would work with the Police Association to examine the coroner’s recommendations.
Police Minister Felix Ellis said the government had allocated funding to “Tasmania Police and the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management’s nation-leading wellbeing program”.
“Police officers, by the nature of the job, are exposed to some pretty difficult and extraordinary circumstances, so providing that support is important,” he said.
“We want to work to make sure that policing continues to be a career or choice, and that we’re supporting our officers if they do find themselves facing challenging circumstances.”
Coroner urges six-monthly welfare checks after inquest into four police suicide deaths – ABC News
Helplines:
- Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Tasmania’s Victims of Crime Service: 1300 300 238
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
Tasmania Police officer who died by suicide worked 23 hours of overtime in three days, inquest hears
The former partner of a Tasmanian police officer who died by suicide has told an inquest that he became fixated on jobs which involved suicide — but that he never sought help for his own mental health.
The coronial inquest is examining the death of Constable Simon Darke and the deaths of three other police officers between 2016 and 2020.
Kimberly Freeman told the court that while Constable Darke loved being a police officer, he started to become obsessed with the jobs he attended that involved death by suicide, and she had concerns about him being in possession of a weapon.
Ms Freeman said Constable Darke‘s mental status changed in the months leading up to his death in 2019.
The inquest also heard Constable Darke had worked 23 hours of overtime over three consecutive days whilst he was involved in the emergency response during the 2019 bushfires in the Huon Valley, south of Hobart.
“He told me he had been working long days so there is no doubt in my mind that he was extremely overtired,” Ms Freeman said.
“He picked up as much overtime and shifts as he could and mentioned several times that he didn’t have enough money.”
Darke ‘copped a lot of abuse’ during fire evacuations
Constable Darke‘s father Graham told the court that while he knew his son had problems with some relationships, the long hours during the 2019 bushfires and run of night shifts at a Hobart police station became too much for the 45-year-old.
“My son mentioned he had copped a lot of abuse when he asked people to leave their homes during the fires, he then went onto night shift by himself which in hindsight wasn’t appropriate,” Mr Darke said.
Another ex-partner, Shanna Sweeney, told the inquest she contacted police after Constable Darke threatened suicide in 2011 but did not believe her concerns were taken seriously.
Ms Sweeney told the court that it took a lot for her to speak up because she did not want Constable Darke to get into trouble at work, and was concerned he could be punished if he was seen as being vulnerable.
She said it was common knowledge among Tasmanian police officers that Constable Darke had threatened self-harm, even though he personally denied it.
“There was a perception he would be judged if he got help,” she said.
Ms Sweeney told the inquest Constable Darke did not really talk about his work unless it was “funny“, and never identified a particular event that would have caused him trauma.
The inquest continues.
Key points:
- The inquest heard Constable Simon Darke had worked 23 hours of overtime over three consecutive days during the bushfire response in 2019
- Ex-partner Shanna Sweeney said she contacted police after Constable Darke threatened suicide in 2011 but did not believe her concerns were taken seriously
- She said it was common knowledge among Tasmanian police officers that Constable Darke had threatened self-harm, even though he personally denied it
In memoriam: Constable Simon Graham Darke, Tasmania Police, died suddenly on 6th February 2019. He was 45 years old.
Constable Simon Darke served as a valued member of Tasmania Police for ten years, most recently with Southern Road and Public Order Services.
He was a talented artist, bicycle racer, a caring and kind police officer, adored dad, loving son and brother. A great man who was snatched from us too soon.
He answered the call, never hesitated to help people, and he will forever live through all whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace and intercede on our behalf.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his young family and friends. May care and love of those around you provide comfort to get you through the days and years ahead.
Gone from our sight but not from our hearts.
Simon, a great artist, also owned ‘Spider Signs’ although that business was de-registered on 3 November 2008.
Simon served as a valued member of the Tasmania Police Service for 10 years, most recently with Southern Road and Public Order Services, and his loss is felt deeply across the agency. The Commissioner, Members and Employees of Tasmania Police are saddened by his passing and offer their deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Published in The Examiner on Feb. 9, 2019
https://tributes.examiner.com.au/obituaries/examiner-au/obituary.aspx?n=simon-graham-darke&pid=191490297&fhid=39926
