WA Police are investigating the death of an officer at a police station in Perth's southern suburbs.

Key points: Officer apparently shot himself at Cockburn Police Station with his police-issue firearm

Officer apparently shot himself at Cockburn Police Station with his police-issue firearm WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the force was in shock at the news

WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the force was in shock at the news Death comes after state coroner calls for more support services

It is understood First Class Constable Darren Igglesden, 50, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at Cockburn Police Station on Monday morning.

In a statement, WA Police said support services were being offered to other officers.

The station has been temporarily closed, and the public has been asked not to attend the station until further notice. They have instead been redirected to nearby Fremantle or Mandurah stations, both of which operate 24 hours a day.

Cockburn Police Station has been temporarily closed after the shooting. ( ABC News: Charlotte Hamlyn )

'Popular member of the force'

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson extended his condolences to the family of Constable Igglesden and colleagues at Cockburn Police Station.

"It appears Darren has drawn his service-issued pistol from the police armoury this morning (Monday), shortly after 6:00am," he said.

"He was found deceased by colleagues within the Cockburn police building.

"Darren's death has come as a complete shock to his family, to his friends, and indeed the entire police force.

"At this difficult time I extend my condolences to Darren's family, his friends, his work colleagues and everyone who knew him.

"A coronial investigation is now underway and so we should let that full investigation be completed, but there does not appear to be any other persons present at the time Darren lost his life."

Commissioner Dawson said Constable Igglesden was a popular member of the police force.

"Constable Igglesden has been with the WA Police Force for six-and-a-half years, he joined us at about 44 years of age, he has had a varied career in the private sector prior to joining police," he said.

"Well liked, well respected, a very popular member of the police force."

Coroner called for more police support

The tragedy comes nearly a month after WA Deputy Coroner Evelyn Vicker released her findings into the suicide of police officer Scott Blanchard, who shot himself while on duty at Kalgoorlie in July 2015.

Ms Vicker found that while Detective Sergeant Blanchard appeared to be coping well with his job as a police officer, he had become "obsessed" that health problems he had were undiagnosable and "consequently took matters into his own hands ..."

The inquest into Sergeant Blanchard's death heard details of the WA Police Service's Health and Safety Division, which provides services such as confidential psychological counselling, peer support programs and chaplaincy services to officers and their families, to try to help them manage stress or issues that may arise as a result of their employment.

One officer died at Cockburn Police Station as a result of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. ( Adam Haynes: ABC )

Ms Vicker also said she was satisfied that Sergeant Blanchard was aware of the support available, however he had chosen instead to access his personal GP, with whom he had a good relationship.

Ms Vicker said she was satisfied from the evidence before her that the division was "actively attempting to engage police officers and their families", but she recommended that its services be highlighted more, to try to ensure all officers and their families were aware of its availability.

Commissioner Dawson said the WA Police had already acted on the findings.

"The deputy coroner made a comment to ensure families of police officers are also made aware of assistance. We have done that. We have in fact repeated that again today (Monday)," he said.

"So that not only do we provide professional services to police officers — because policing is a stressful job and they encounter situations that other members of our community don't encounter — but we do overtly … ensure that families of our officers are also made aware that we can provide welfare and counselling services to families as well."

Appeal for officers to access services

WA Police Union president George Tilbury said officers needed to make sure they were accessing the support services available to them.

"We are satisfied that the services are available for members out there when they require them, but what we want to do is encourage members and their colleagues, if they see any signs, if they think that there is a problem or they do need help, to actually put up their hand and ask for that assistance," he said.

"We are satisfied that a number of changes have happened over the previous years that actually make this system better, in terms of providing services that are readily available to our members.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson (centre), Police Minister Michelle Roberts (left) and WA Police Union president George Tilbury (right) speak about the death of an officer. ( ABC News: Briana Shepherd )

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said she believed the culture within the organisation was changing.

"I think the police force has changed dramatically over the last 10 years or so, in terms of encouraging officers to come forward and to show some additional care for themselves and their fellow officers," she said.

"It used to certainly be the case that the attitude was 'toughen up' and to show any emotional vulnerability was seen as some kind of weakness. That's not the attitude that's been taken by police in recent years.

"We have had some shocking and tragic incidents in recent times where officers have had to turn out to shocking scenes, and sometimes they go to road crashes where they see shocking scenes, so we need to know that they have got the support there.

"And I have certainly received assurances from the Commissioner of Police and others that we have got good supports in place. Sometimes, though, people need to avail themselves of that support."