Full Breakdown
Former Officer Sues Metropolitan Police Over PTSD Claims
1/27/2026, 10:10:35 PM
Background of the Case
Kirstie Coy-Martin, a former officer of the Metropolitan Police, is suing the force for £1 million, alleging that her prolonged exposure to traumatic cases involving child abuse led to severe mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a phobia of police stations. Coy-Martin, who joined the Met in 1997, worked in the Child Abuse Investigation Team from 2005 to 2016, where she was reportedly exposed to "harrowing" scenes of child abuse and death.
Claims of Negligence
Coy-Martin's legal representatives argue that the Metropolitan Police breached their duty of care by failing to protect her mental health during her tenure in high-stress roles. They contend that the nature of her work was inherently unsafe and that the police force should have anticipated the risk of psychiatric injury due to the distressing material she encountered. Her lawyers assert that the Met did not take adequate steps to prevent her from suffering psychiatric harm, despite clear signs of her deteriorating mental health.
The Impact of Work-Related Trauma
After leaving the Child Abuse Investigation Team in 2016, Coy-Martin transitioned to a custody sergeant role and later a home-based position analyzing CCTV footage. However, she continued to experience significant distress, particularly when required to attend police stations, which triggered panic attacks. In 2020, an incident involving a video call participant's criticism exacerbated her condition, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD. Her symptoms included flashbacks and heightened anxiety, which her doctors attributed to her experiences in the child abuse unit.
Metropolitan Police's Defense
The Metropolitan Police, represented by barrister Edwin Buckett, strongly contests Coy-Martin's claims, describing them as "incredible." The defense argues that it is unreasonable for a serving officer to assert that she should not have been required to attend police buildings. Buckett maintains that Coy-Martin did not raise concerns about stress during her time in the child abuse teams and that her mental health issues were linked to other physical incidents rather than her work environment. The Met asserts that the working conditions were safe and that adequate support was provided to Coy-Martin throughout her career.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the Metropolitan Police's handling of the case argue that the force has a responsibility to safeguard the mental health of its officers, particularly those exposed to traumatic situations. They emphasize the need for better mental health support and surveillance within law enforcement agencies to prevent similar cases of PTSD among officers.
What's Next
The case has reached the Central London County Court for a pre-trial hearing, where evidence will be reviewed ahead of a full trial. The Metropolitan Police has described the case as "strongly disputed," and it may return to court unless a settlement is reached before the trial date.
Verbatim Quotes
- “'It was inherently foreseeable to the defendant that exposure to such would expose the claimant to a risk of psychiatric injury.” — Kirstie Coy-Martin's lawyers
- “He added: 'Requiring the claimant to attend a police building was entirely reasonable and it is incredible to assert that a serving police officer should not have to attend such a building on occasion or that this caused or contributed to the claimant's alleged psychiatric condition.” — Edwin Buckett, Barrister for the Metropolitan Police
