Abstract
OBJECTIVE: to identify the prevalence of depression and its association with anxiety levels among military police officers. METHODS: a cross-sectional study, conducted with active military police officers, using the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory, both validated for the Brazilian context. Multivariate logistic regression analyses verified associations. RESULTS: the sample consisted of 672 military police officers, with a prevalence of depression of 34.5%. Police officers with depression presented significantly higher levels of anxiety. Anxiety was a significant predictor of depression, with each one-point increase in anxiety score being associated with a 1.20-fold increase in the odds of depression (adjusted Odds Ratio = 1.20; 95% Confidence Interval 1.16-1.24; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: the high prevalence of depression and its association with anxiety highlight the need to implement prevention and mental health promotion actions among military police officers.