NSW Police officer Stephen Hardwick is found dead after following in his father’s footsteps and joining the force

A 44-year-old policeman who followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the force has taken his own life amid calls for better mental health support for officers.

Stephen Charles Hardwick passed three days before Christmas on December 22, two years after leaving New South Wales Police.

Mr Hardwick joined the force in December 2000 and left in 2022, having served over 20 years in Sydney and Wollongong.

His father, Barry Hardwick, is a retired officer. His brother, Chris Hardwick, is understood to still be on the force. 

Mr Hardwick’s death was met with an outpouring of grief on a dedicated tribute page to fallen officers in NSW.

Both those who knew the 44-year-old and those he’d never met agreed improved mental health facilities for officers could have prevented his passing.

‘Very sad to hear. Another loss that’s hard to fathom unless you have been there,’ one wrote.

Another, who knew Mr Hardwick’s father, wrote: ‘To my old Detective Sergeant Barry Hardwick, his son Chris and family. I am so sorry to hear of the death of your son and brother. 

‘It is a fine state of affairs and one that has been going on for years with troubled police versus this lousy system of support front line officers. 

‘It has happened to too many of my former and still serving colleagues as well as myself and it just breaks my heart. 

‘All as I wish for now is that this death may make the hierarchy sit up and take notice. 

‘The support system for front line police is not working and we are losing too many good men and women at the hands of their negligence.’

For confidential 24-hour support in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

More to come.