Police Suicide

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a police officer? They get to pull people over, wear a shiny badge, carry a weapon, and drive fast (Who can pull over the police?). Imagine being the person to make a big arrest on a bad guy who has been hurting many innocent people and YOU are the one who gets them off the street. Imagine going home to your husband and wife and telling them about the successful collar you made at work. What a validated feeling an officer must feel...


But on the flip side, have you thought about the responsibility it takes to carry a badge. The fact that people place their lives in YOUR hands. Having to chase a bad guy who is committing awful crimes and bringing those stories home to your family? Let me tell you, it is not all the glitz and glam. It is hard to be an officer. Sometimes the stress leads the officer to believe death would be a more peaceful place then his life on Earth...


 Police suicide is not as rare as most people would think. Since 1980, from the most accurate data we can review, researchers are concluding that police suicide has doubled. In the span of ten years a police suicide took place every year and that is just the reported cases. The topic is very "hush hush", ignored, protected, under reported, and so the research is slowed down and prevented by police officers themselves. Police often "take care of their own". Sometimes police suicide is covered up to protect the reputation of the victim, the profession, and to protect the victim's family.

Professionals say that a big step in preventing police suicide is to understand the root of the problem. Police often take on a sense of responsibility if a collar goes wrong. Thoughts that go through their heads are "I should have known better" or "It's my fault, it's my fault their walking on that charge". Sometimes people do not realize, officers too, that the police are still human. They are not Super Man and Wonder Women. Most do their job to the best of their ability and if things go wrong sometimes it is out of their control. This often leads to stress on the job.

Stress is a huge part of the job. Being in the public eye and having the responsibility to protect other people over yourself. The absolute terror in some of the situations police are put in can be unbearable. This stress also leads many overwhelmed officers to alcohol. Not being able to deal with the stress and not wanting to ask for help can lead to extreme decisions.

Researchers report that another reason for the uncommon rate of suicide is the accessibility to guns. 95% of police suicide involve their own work weapon. Easy access to a gun, overwhelming feelings of depression, alcohol; Not a good mix. However, professionals report that it can also be more of a symbolic thing. Because a gun to officers represents the "Life and death...ending of misery and protecting others", officers may view this for themselves as well.


Being proactive and getting help is the wisest action a police officer can take. Therapy is recommended for feelings of suicide, depression, or even just being stressed or disturbed by certain situations. Researches recommend that police agencies set up suicide prevention programs for police officers to cope with the daily job of policing. Hopefully this post opens your eyes to the vulnerability that police have and to the topic of police suicide which has been shielded for many years.



FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin
1995
The Mystery Within: Understanding Police Suicide by John M. Violanti