His three children followed in his footsteps and donned the blue uniform with pride. Even his two sons-inlaw are policemen.

But now the retired cop hopes and prays his six grandchildren never follow the family tradition of becoming a police officer.

Once proud of his uniform, his Freddie (badge) and all they stood for, Mr Discher, who left the force in 2012, describes being a police officer as one of the most demoralising jobs. “When you’re young and you join (the police force) you want to make a difference … you want to clean up the place.”

But he believes the increasing dangers out on the streets today are now adding to an already stressful career. “It’s far too stressful now. I worry about the members’ mental capacity. It’s not the violence, as such, it’s just so stressful … it’s (today’s) society really.”

Mr Discher’s comments follow a call from serving and retired members of Victoria Police and mental health professionals for mandatory and more regular health checks of officers at all levels.

A Ballarat police officer, who is currently seeking treatment for PTSD at a Melbourne trauma recovery unit has combined with mental health professionals to call for Victoria Police to introduce compulsory welfare checks for officers of all ranks every six months to encourage members to speak out.

Mr Discher, who agrees with the push for improved mental welfare for officers, also believes checks for those who have left the force should also be compulsory.

He compares his last day on the force to a funeral. “It was the biggest change in my life.

“I lived the police force night and day … then all of a sudden that was cut off. It left an empty feeling.”

Mr Discher claims support for those who leave the force is virtually non-existent.

After 31 years as a police officer in the Ballarat district, including the last 18 years as the sole member at the Learmonth and Clunes police stations as a leading senior constable, Mr Discher took early retirement after suffering a back injury.

Stress also played a major part in his decision to retire. “People who leave this job are scarred for life, particularly after seeing kids die in front of you … after having to knock on countless doors to tell people their loved ones have died. This is an image that does not go away.”

But, he says the increased prevalence of the drug ice and the lack of respect towards police has led to increased dangers in the job adding to the stress on officers. “All of my children have joined the force. I have six grandchildren and I hope they don’t join … it’s too dangerous.”