Across Australia the number of police suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is growing, damaged by the extreme situations they're repeatedly exposed to. And untreated, they can be a danger not only to themselves but others. But when they put their hand up for help, many of these police officers are being subjected to humiliating and harmful practices employed by insurers. Claims for compensation and psychiatric treatment are being met with scepticism, resistance and lengthy delays. And insurers are going to extraordinary lengths to avoid payouts. Four Corners has spoken to police around the country who have been spied on, their privacy invaded on an astonishing scale, with both physical and electronic surveillance. For these police, the aggressive tactics exacerbate their mental illness, sometimes with awful consequences. And psychiatrists are calling on insurers to change their approach.

Four Corners is Australia's premier television current affairs program. It has been part of the Australian story since August 1961, exposing scandals, triggering inquiries, firing debate, confronting taboos and interpreting fads, trends and sub-cultures. Its consistently high standards of journalism and film-making have earned international recognition and an array of Walkleys, Logies and other national awards.