Welsh police sergeant took his own life amid work-related stress

Sergeant Nicholas John Williams, a 54-year-old South Wales Police officer, died by suicide at his home in Barry on 2 April 2024. An inquest heard that he had been under severe work-related stress after a constable complained about his management, and that he believed he might be dismissed. His family said he was proud of his work but felt isolated and came to dread a job he loved.

The inquest heard that Williams took six months’ stress leave and later alleged that Chief Inspector Chris Peters was bullying him after a proposed transfer from Barry to Cardiff. He had told a wellbeing officer he was experiencing suicidal thoughts, but no stress risk assessment was carried out. The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide, called the missing assessment a “failed opportunity” and said he would issue a prevention of future deaths notice.