A respected police officer who took her own life inside the Port Adelaide police station has reportedly lodged an intimidation complaint before her death.
The officer, married and mother of two children, died at the station, in the northwest of the city, on the afternoon of January 9.
Some of her colleagues told a South African parliamentary committee on mental health support within the police that she had made a harassment complaint at some point before her death.
“Harassment is widespread throughout the organization despite a supposed culture change following a series of sexual abuse allegations a few years ago,” said a communication from a serving officer, according to The advertiser.
The officer (in the photo), married and mother of two children, died at the police station, in the northwest of the city, on the afternoon of Monday, January 9.
Some of her colleagues told a South African parliamentary committee on mental health support within the police that she had made a harassment complaint at some point before her death (pictured: Port Adelaide police station, where was found dead).
‘The day after the officer recently committed suicide in West Adelaide, who incidentally reported she was being bullied, it was business as usual.
“No contact from some managers and no real recognition of the effect it might have on their former colleagues.”
The filing claimed the officer’s colleagues had to take time off work to attend his funeral.
Another said that “morale was at an all-time low” within the South African police force.
WhatsNew2Day Australia previously revealed online reports of witnesses at the station hearing a loud bang inside the building before discovering his body.
Devastated friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the officer who was nominated for ‘Aboriginal Person of the Year’ in 2012 for his work within the First Nations community.
Her colleagues remembered the officer for her “infectious laugh” and how she always “met people with a smile.”
She was remembered as a “beautiful person” who had a “loud, infectious laugh” that could be heard “throughout the station.”
A coworker previously said the officer told her, “It’s going to be okay, best friend” during one of their last conversations.
“You’ve told me this a thousand times over the years,” his colleague wrote.
“It doesn’t look like anything is going to be right again.”
In a statement, SAPOL told the newspaper that it took the mental health of all employees seriously and offered different options to seek help.
“While it does not diminish the sentiment of those who have made submissions, SAPOL does not believe they are indicative of the views of the wider workforce,” the statement said.
The officer’s death in Port Adelaide is still subject to a coroner’s inquest and the ongoing commissioner’s inquiry.
The police had previously asked the media not to publish the name or photographs of the officer in question for “cultural reasons.”
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