The law banning terminally ill people from being helped to end their lives must be reviewed because it may not be working, a cross party group of MPs have said.

They say the government should examine whether a total ban on assisted dying should be ended.

The call was triggered by police chief Ron Hogg telling the Guardian in September he wanted the right to end his own life to free him from the agony of motor neurone disease.

Furthermore, 17 of his fellow police and crime commissioners who oversee forces across England and Wales say a change in the law should be considered.

Ron Hogg, 67, the elected police, crime and victims commissioner of Durham, was diagnosed in August with motor neurone disease, an incurable condition that leads to muscle wasting and death. He said he already needs help to breathe and wants the right to end his suffering at a time chosen by him and his family.

The MPs who have written a letter to the Guardian calling for a review include Oliver Letwin and Nick Boles, as well as Labour MPs and the former Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and the Green party MP Caroline Lucas. Some of the MPs believe a review is needed but are not convinced the law should change; others believe assisted dying should now be allowed.

They write: “MPs from across the House of Commons have repeatedly asked the Ministry of Justice to look at the effects of the current blanket ban on assisted dying and how it is enforced.

“This week we heard from a group of police and crime commissioners who have now also called on the government to examine the consequences of section 2 of the 1961 Suicide Act, which criminally implicates anyone providing assistance to someone to die.

“No matter our views on whether and to what extent assisted dying can be legalised safely, we should all agree that the only way to ensure the law is fit for purpose is to hear from those it affects most.”

Mavis Eccleston, who was cleared by a jury of murdering her terminally ill husband, Dennis. Photograph: Matthew Cooper/PA

The law on assisted dying is a hugely emotive issue that keeps coming before the courts and into the criminal justice system.

In September, Mavis Eccleston, 80, was cleared by a jury of murdering her terminally ill husband, Dennis, after they formed a pact to end their lives together.

Earlier this year, Ann Whaley was investigated for accompanying her husband to Dignitas, the suicide clinic in Switzerland, where he ended his life after suffering from MND.

Others who have supported their terminally ill loved ones such as James Howley were also investigated by police.

In their letter, 18 police and crime commissioners, elected to oversee police forces, say even officers who end up investigating such cases find it distressing.

He said: “Many will have experienced or heard of cases where the blanket ban on assisted dying has caused distress, confusion and pain for dying people, their loved ones, and even the investigating police officers themselves.

“We believe it is time for a renewed look at the functioning of the existing law on assisted dying. While there are clearly differences of opinion as to whether or how the law should change, we contend that the law is not working as well as it could and seek an inquiry to confirm that.

“We owe it to dying and bereaved people, and their families, to try and find a better way of dealing with terminal illness, including the position around assisted dying.”

The letter is signed by Hogg and PCCs including those for West Yorkshire, Merseyside and Thames Valley.

Objections to allowing assisted dying include fears some people would be pressured into ending their life.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: “We have the deepest sympathies for families in these terribly saddening circumstances. This is a matter of individual conscience, and any change in the law is for parliament rather than government to decide.”

MPs voted against a change in the law in 2015.