Tas police welfare 'lacked PTSD training'

Welfare officers at Tasmania Police lacked knowledge and understanding about post-traumatic stress disorder, the former partner of a sergeant who took his own life has told an inquest.

The death of much-loved Sergeant Robert Cooke, 49, in 2020 is one of four police officer suicides being examined by the inquest.

Sgt Cooke was on return-to-work programs after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and was worried about whether he could return to his rural posting.

His former partner Senior Constable Jenny Carlisle believed welfare officers at Tasmania Police didn't have the ability to assist someone with such severe PTSD.

"They were lacking but I don't think that was a deliberate thing. I think through a lack of knowledge and understanding," she told the inquest on Thursday.

Const Carlisle said visits by one welfare officer to their home made Sgt Cooke's PTSD worse because there was too much talk about work.

Const Carlisle said she didn't believe the welfare officer had any formal training in dealing with people with PTSD.

However, she said welfare officers were now "significantly better" at what they do.

Const Carlisle described Sgt Cooke as a happy-go-lucky family man before he became unwell and someone who was liked by everybody and was exceptionally good at his job.

"Police work was everything to him. (It was) a huge part of his identity," she said.

She said Sgt Cooke was frustrated about the management of his worker's compensation claim and had to chase police paperwork.

As part of its remit, the inquest is examining Tasmania Police procedures relating to welfare and fatigue management.

It has also heard evidence about the personal relationships of Sgt Cooke and how they impacted his mental health.

Const Carlisle denied she and Sgt Cooke had broken up not long before his death, despite multiple witnesses earlier telling the inquest otherwise.

She also denied giving Sgt Cooke an ultimatum to leave the house where they lived and that he had been "living in the shed" of the property.

The inquest is set to hold its final hearing on Friday.

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