Officer's suicide blamed on work

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The wife of a police officer who killed himself by stepping in front of a train has blamed excessive work targets and paperwork that made him depressed.

British Transport Police (BTP) officer Ian Hardwick, from Derbyshire, died on the tracks at Morley station, Leeds.

After an inquest into his death, Nicola Hardwick said her husband felt unable to manage the demands placed on him.

Coroner David Hinchliff said father-of-two Mr Hardwick felt the job had changed and he had lost his way.

Mrs Hardwick said: "Ian loved the job he did but became demoralised and demotivated with the targets he and colleagues were set.

[Mr Hardwick] didn't like the fact that it was every man for himself rather than the previous teamwork Coroner David Hinchliff

"Police men and women are not numbers on a spreadsheet. They are individuals doing an essential and highly-pressurised job for which they need specialised support and people management."

The inquest in Leeds heard Mr Hardwick, who was based in Sheffield, had been drinking heavily under pressure from problems at work.

Mr Hinchliff said it was a fact that Mr Hardwick was struggling to keep up with his paperwork.

After his death, piles of police documents were found hidden in his car.

The officer had told colleagues that he shredded official files and "lost them" when he was falling behind with administration.

Colleagues told the inquest Mr Hardwick was extremely upset in the weeks before his death after he was emailed a personal action plan aimed at improving his paperwork management.

'Support officers'

Pc David Mitchell said Mr Hardwick told him "I can't take it anymore. I'm going home".

Mr Hardwick, who had two awards for excellent police service, visited several pubs in Morley before his death, the hearing was told.

Mr Hinchliff, who recorded a verdict of suicide, said: "Ian in particular felt he was underperforming. He didn't like the fact that it was every man for himself rather than the previous teamwork."

A BTP spokesman said Mr Hardwick would be sadly missed by his colleagues.

"BTP seek to support all officers and staff who may feel that the challenges of the job are overwhelming and may be struggling to cope, and will develop any action plans to address any emerging issues," he said.