On Friday, Victoria’s chief commissioner Graham Ashton announced the start of a review into the mental health and wellbeing of Victoria Police employees – but at least one former officer is skeptical of the pledge. 

The review, led by clinical and organisational psychologist Dr Peter Cotton will be supported by retired superintendent Peter Bull and senior healthcare executive Nancy Hogan. 

Ballarat’s hero cop Ian ‘Dizzy’ Harris, who shot dead one of Australia’s most dangerous criminals, does not believe the review will achieve anything positive, unless former members are spoken to regularly.

“Things are going to have to change, it’s well and good for them to help serving members, but now once you’re off their books – that’s it,” Mr Harris said.

A review has been frequently called for by past and serving members of the police force – who claim there is inadequate support for serving officers and virtually no support for retired officers. Mr Ashton said the review would examine how this can be addressed.

“The Victoria Police Mental Health Review will critically examine and report on how the organisation can best deliver wellbeing services to support employees through their career and into their post Victoria Police lives.”

Mr Harris claimed the police force left him out in the cold after his final day. He suggested a dedicated group to calling ex-members every three of four months to check on them, would make a significant difference.

A post-review report will be delivered to Victoria Police Executive Command by the end of January 2016. 

Mr Harris did not believe this gave investigators enough time to adequately investigate the problem – which he said was huge. 

“I could list eight guys from Ballarat … who suffer PTSD,” Mr Harris said.

The 2015 Intentional Self-Harm Fact Sheet  revealed 62 police officers committed suicide between 2000-12.