The death of a much-loved police officer at his own hands after being exposed to trauma and stress holds key lessons for a territory's force, a coroner has found.
Northern Territory officer Michael Deutrom was found dead by his parents at their home in South Australia on April 16, 2022.
He was on leave, suffering depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after long-term exposure to trauma and stress, Coroner Elisabeth Armitage found.
Delivering her report on Friday, she said Senior Constable Deutrom's death had a devastating impact on his loving family, friends and colleagues.
He was with the NT force from March 1999, when he was 21, until his death at age 44.
He loved his job, was well-liked by his peers and received multiple commendations throughout his career, primarily working in frontline roles, including in remote Aboriginal communities.
"Michael took his own life after suffering a severe mental health injury caused by his exposure to trauma and stress on the job, which had rendered him unable to work," the coroner said.
"The symptoms of his injury, combined with the sudden need to go off work in late January 2022 and the uncertainty about his next steps after spending 23 years as a frontline police officer, devastated him.
"What is learned from Michael’s tragic passing will hopefully help others in frontline roles better understand the mental health risks they face."
The coroner found there were missed opportunities regarding Sen Const Deutrom’s medical diagnosis and interventions.
But family, friends, colleagues and health professionals were genuinely trying to help him in the months before his death.
The coroner found officers in remote communities were unable to switch off after hours, worked extended shifts when fatigued and knew backup was hours away when policing violent disturbances.
Over the years Sen Const Deutrom attended multiple confronting homicide and vehicle fatality scenes, Judge Armitage noted.
At one crash, following a police pursuit in 1999, he suffered burns to his arms when dragging a man from a car on fire, but the man did not survive.
The coroner recommended NT Police develop a requirement for psychological assessment when a member applies for transfer to a remote station.
Other findings included implementing strategies for commanders to prioritise officers' wellbeing, particularly in times of acute demand for police services or staff shortages.
The coroner also recommended introducing a psychiatric referral pathway for members suspected of having a mental health injury and developing a framework to assess and monitor risks posed to officers at remote community postings.
It should consider incorporating findings from Sen Const Deutrom's death into police training, emphasising risks from the cumulated effects of trauma and stress, the coroner said.
Responding to the coroner's report, NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the wellbeing of employees remained a priority.
"We have put support measures in place for our employees and encouraged anyone who may be affected to access those services," he said.
NT Police would carefully consider the coroner's recommendations, Mr Dole said.
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