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Police Suicide: Fatal Misunderstandings (From Suicide and Law Enforcement, P 235-242, 2001, Donald C. Sheehan and Janet I. Warren, eds. -- See NCJ-193528)

NCJ Number
193550
Author(s)
Neil S. Hibler
Date Published
2001
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article reports on a review of themes common in the suicides of uniformed law enforcement officers and special agents.
Abstract
The study involved an analysis of just over 50 suicides by law enforcement personnel. Based on the findings, the thesis of this article is that despite the best of intentions, the organizational failings that contributed to the suicides stemmed from misunderstandings. The types of misunderstandings ranged from failing to recognize personal suffering, failure to use antidotes that could be effective in neutralizing stressors, and failure to understand the diminishment of the will to live under the burden of overwhelming despair. The cases reviewed consistently involved injury to the officer's self-esteem and the loss of control. Suicides reflected the desire to end a struggle for which the officer did not have the resources to cope or control. Suicide was the last desperate act of resolution. In every case, there were viable alternatives to suicide for the officer, but the officer did not perceive them to be realistic or desirable. Interventions of all kinds typically underestimated the perspectives and life-space of the at-risk officer. Accordingly, this article suggests how to recognize individuals who perceive that they are losing control of their lives and how to intervene with appropriate help. The article concludes with the description of an early-warning-signs model that can be used to identify officers at risk. Suggestions are offered for developing a workplace subculture that promotes communication, positive interaction, and sensitive support. Some programs that have proven to reduce suicide by enhancing teamwork and professional commitment are described. A table of early emotional, behavioral, and physical indicators of difficulty in coping is provided.