EXCLUSIVE

A SOUTH Australia police officer posted “F*** the police, f*** the army” on his Facebook before going to a local hospital and taking his life.

The man reportedly drove from his home in Cowell, about 500km west of Adelaide, to the local District Hospital around 9.45pm.

It is not known if the officer was on or off duty at the time of his death.

A brief statement issued by SA Police said authorities were “preparing a report for the coroner following the death of a man at Cowell on March 5”.

“No other persons are being sought at this time,” the statement read.

A South Australia Police spokesperson told news.com.au they had “nothing further to add”.

Cowell District Hospital has been contacted for comment.

This morning Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the police officer was “a very well-respected person” and a team of investigators would be looking into the tragedy.

“We’ll do a comprehensive review, we’ll do a very detailed report for the Coroner,” he told ABC Adelaide radio.

One of the police officer’s colleagues, who asked to remain anonymous, said the man “posted (a) ‘f**k you’ msg (sic) to police” on Facebook moments before he died. News.com.au has viewed the post.

“F*** the police, f*** the army,” it read.

The man, who news.com.au has chosen not to identify, has been described on social media as “a well respected officer, and former ADF member, who will be missed by many”.

“This bloke was and will forever remain a dead set legend,” another person wrote.

“No one saw it coming. We got the watch now brother.”

“We are all better people having known you,” another said.

News.com.au last month reported a lack of welfare support and subsequent mental health crisis within the Australian Federal Police after an agent was believed to take her own life in the Melbourne headquarters on February 7.

READ: Suicide concerns for AFP agents

READ: AFP agents’ harrowing stories

READ: Push for inquiry into the AFP

READ: Inside the AFP

READ: AFP agent’s open letter

READ: AFP Commissioner’s vow

The reports prompted several state police officers to also come forward and highlight that a lack of welfare support for work-related mental health issues including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was also a problem in state policing.

“South Australia has just seen one of their officers (take her own life),” one police officer told news.com.au.

The source was referring to constable Sharryne Grant, South Australia’s longest serving female police officer, who died by suicide in Adelaide in October last year.

“Suicide within the ranks is being ignored state wide,” he said.

“Cops can’t speak out, because they are crucified by management.

“(Instead they) suffer in silence.”

Blue Hope director Mark Kelly told news.com.au the organisation had received “between 30-50 referrals from struggling police since Christmas”.

“We are under the pump trying to meet demand,” he said.

If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the 24-hour Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

If you have information on issues within the AFP please contact

megan.palin@news.com.au