A Tasmanian police sergeant who took his own life after battling post-traumatic stress disorder felt there was a lack of support from the force, his former psychiatrist has told an inquest.
The death of Sergeant Robert Cooke, 49, in October 2020 is one of four police officer suicides being investigated.
Sgt Cooke had been on return-to-work programs and feared he wouldn't be able to again work at his much-loved rural posting.
The inquest was told Sgt Cooke spoke to his psychiatrist Yvonne Turnier-Shea on several occasions about a "downplaying" of mental health problems within Tasmania Police.
"He didn't specify where he expected it from ... he just said there had been an overall lack of support while going through his illness and the worker's compensation claim," Dr Turnier-Shea said on Wednesday.
Dr Turnier-Shea said Sgt Cooke had told her about having suicidal ideations but not when she saw him on the day of his death.
She started treating Sgt Cooke in February 2020, after he had been formally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dr Turnier-Shea said she was currently treating five Tasmania Police officers for PTSD.
Two of them complained to her specifically about a lack of support from police welfare services once it was clear they wouldn't be returning to work, she said.
"They felt that were dropped by the force without any specific support provided," Dr Turnier-Shea said.
The inquest, which is expected to hold its final public hearing on Friday, is examining Tasmania Police welfare and fatigue-management processes as part of its remit.
Sgt Cooke's son, Jarred Cooke, previously told the inquest his dad was informed he wouldn't be able to return to full-time policing.
"That had a big effect on dad. That really hit him hard. The job was his life, whether he admitted it or not. To be told that was crushing," he said.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
