‘Proud’ police officer took his own life amid claims he was being bullied by his chief inspector, inquest told

DAILYMAIL.COM • 1h ago

By OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA 14:19 19 Oct 2026, updated 14:21 19 Oct 2026

A ‘hard-working and dedicated’ police officer took his own life amid claims he was being bullied by his chief inspector, an inquest has heard.

Sergeant Nicholas John Williams, 54, was found dead in his garage at his home in Barry, South Wales, by his wife Keri on April 2, 2024.

The father-of-three died 10 months after a constable he supervised at South Wales Police complained about his management style in June, 2023.

Sgt Williams took six months of work-related stress leave, a three-day inquest at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court overseen by Assistant Coroner Gavin Knox was told.

He didn’t receive details of the complaint and convinced himself he would be sacked, even though the worst outcome was a final written warning.

Sgt Williams had problems managing his dyslexia at work, and the inquest was told that his ADHD and autistic traits meant he had a direct communication style.

The day before he died, Sgt Williams lodged a complaint against his boss, Chief Inspector Chris Peters, who he alleged was bullying him.

He felt he was being ‘punished’ and ‘isolated’ when CI Peters decided that he would be moved from Barry Police Station to Fairwater Police Station in Cardiff.

Sgt Williams only received details of the complaint when he returned to work and was scheduled to attend back-to-back meetings, the inquest heard.

Police Federation Officer Michael George said this only added to his stress.

He was also instructed to work in a room on his own, nearby to CI Peter’s office, who he felt was watching him, the inquest was told.

Mrs Williams told the inquest that on the day her husband returned to work, CI Peters told him not to take any more sick leave or ‘you’ll have me to deal with’.

She said he began to dread the job he loved after he was allegedly ‘singled out’.

Inspector Kate Lerwill, who was tasked with managing Sgt Williams’ return to work, told the inquest the decision to move Sgt Williams was to protect him and others.

She broke down in tears when asked by Sgt Williams’ eldest daughter Hannah if she could have done more to ease his return to work.

‘I ask myself every day what else I could have done,’ she replied.

During this time, Sgt Williams told a wellbeing officer he was experiencing suicidal thoughts and that he had expressed those thoughts to his wife.

He insisted he would not act on them, the inquest was told.

Sgt Williams also told his family that he worked alone all day and that it ‘affected’ him.

‘How far do they want to push me?’ he told a colleague, the inquest heard.

Coroner Knox said he was ‘surprised’ that neither Insp Lerwill nor the Police Federation Officer helping Sgt Williams performed a ‘stress risk assessment (SRA), describing it as a ‘failed opportunity, considering the stress he was under’.

The coroner told the inquest: ‘The absence of that risk assessment may have led to a disclosure of increased risk of suicide.

‘It may have led to the offer of welfare support for the officer.

‘A SRA may have helped avoid Nick’s death.’

Coroner Knox recorded a verdict of suicide and said he will issue a Prevention of Future Deaths Notice over the force’s failure to carry out a stress risk assessment.

He told the inquest: ‘I have a concern that other deaths will occur with South Wales Police’s lack of knowledge of stress risk assessment.’

Sgt Williams’ family issued a statement through his daughter Hannah, saying he had been let down by the force he worked for.

She said: ‘The evidence from his colleagues at his inquest has shown that he was hardworking, dedicated, knowledgeable and very good at what he did.

‘My dad was dealing with repeated IT failures, difficulties implementing his reasonable adjustments, uncertainty surrounding his career and worsening work-related stress.’

‘Most concerningly, the inquest has identified multiple points at which my dad’s deteriorating wellbeing was known or could have been acted upon.

‘SWP knew he was experiencing work-related stress. Its own wellbeing service had been told that my dad had researched methods of suicide.’

‘My dad spent his life protecting and helping other people. He wasn’t just a police officer. He was my dad, a husband, a grandfather and someone who genuinely wanted to make a difference.

‘My dad spent his life helping people who needed him. When he needed help himself, there were repeated opportunities to recognise what was happening and protect him.

South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Marc Attwell said Sgt Williams’s role as a neighbourhood officer was ‘one of the most important.’

He said: ‘We were deeply saddened by the loss of Nick in such tragic circumstances.

‘It’s a matter of deep regret that Nick didn’t feel well enough supported by the organisation and we will carefully work through the coroner’s findings to reflect on and learn any lessons. Our thoughts remain with Nick’s family and friends.’

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit thecalmzone.net/get-support.

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