A POLICE officer took his own life, an inquest heard.

At Beaconsfield Coroner's Court on Thursday the court heard Ian Duncan was found by his wife at their home in Chichester Row, Amersham.

The 50-year-old was a serving police officer in the Metropolitan Police and was nearing his 30 years service.

Police were called at 9.54am on March 29 and Mr Duncan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Envelopes were found at the scene, with notes which suggested Mr Duncan was depressed.

A post mortem showed he died from suffocation.

Coroner Richard Hulett recorded a verdict that he took his own life.