'No job is worth losing yourself': Glam cop reveals she quit the force after developing PTSD from attending 'nightmare' crime scenes

Sky News AU

4 days ago

A glamorous policewoman has spoken out about why she quit the force, declaring she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder on the job after attending "nightmare" scenes and being told she'd "failed" victims of crime.
Emma Louise, 23, always wanted to be a detective.
The UK woman underwent the necessary education to achieve her dream job before landing a role as a trainee detective constable a few years ago.
After quitting the force last year, Emma took to Instagram last week to explain how what she thought would be a lifelong career actually turned out to be an intense journey that totally derailed her life.
She shared photos showing herself as a new officer beaming in her uniform, but behind the scenes, Emma was facing a very sinister reality.
"At first, it was everything I dreamed of; fast-paced, meaningful, intense," she wrote in the caption.
"But eventually, that intensity began to consume me.
"I was attending scenes from nightmares, interviewing people who had done horrific things, and speaking to victims who were being failed by the system.
"All while trying to heal from past experiences in my personal life."
Emma said she sought Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to cope with her work at the time.
The treament is designed to help people process traumatic memories by recalling a distressing experience while undergoing bilateral stimulation.
It was during the therapy the young policewoman was told she was showing symptoms of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).
"I was sitting across from people with the same trauma I was still carrying—being told I'd failed them," Emma said.
"I realised I couldn't keep giving from a place that was empty.
"So I left. Despite the security, the pension, the expectations of my loved ones. For the very first time, I put myself first."
Emma said a year on, she is the "happiest (she's) ever been" and has not needed therapy for eight months, while in a healthy relationship.
"Working a job I love. And falling back in love with life again.
"If you needed a sign—this is it. No job is worth losing yourself for."
People in the comments commended Emma for her honesty, with other former officers saying they too struggled with the pressures of the role.
A woman said she was affected by her colleague being killed on duty.
"I was a police officer for 2 years. It was a hard decision; I felt like I was letting my family and myself down," she said.
"I had joined with a police officer who was killed on duty, and I think it subconsciously affected me.
"Also had therapy, but years later. Also, had gone in to help people, but it didn't feel that way."
Another person shared their similar story, saying they left their "dream job in the police force" in 2022 and have "never felt so free".
"The job will keep you under an umbrella and tell you it's constantly raining," the former cop said.
"One day, when you eventually decide to step out from underneath the umbrella, you'll realise it's been sunny all along."
An officer to be who is studying and shares the same dream as Emma said she fears the hardships of the role before even starting.
"I'm really beginning to feel like it will not be the job for me for the exact reasons you mentioned," she said.
"I fear my experience would be exactly like this, and I'd end up leaving despite the benefits you mentioned.
Another person said: "Being a police officer or a social worker is probably one of the toughest jobs you can do."
"You have to think of your wellbeing because you are the only person in the police who will."
In Australia, an Audit Office of NSW June report into the the mental health and wellbeing of the state's police found psychological claims rose from 790 in 2019-20 to 1,208 in 2023-24.
Half (51 per cent) of all officers leaving the force do so for medical reasons, while 93 per cent quit for psychological reasons.
Mental stress factors, exposure to violence, work pressures and work-related harassment, along with exposure to traumatic events were the leading causes of psychological injury among the state's force.
A police spokeswoman said the force had made significant inroads in the past three years to improve awareness, training, education and support.
"Policing is a challenging and rewarding job and, at times, officers are exposed to traumatic incidents," the spokeswoman said.
"The psychological well-being of our people is vitally important, and we will continue to improve the support programs at all levels that enable our officers to do the job that they love."