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Police Suicides: Responding to the Needs of the Family (From Police Suicide: Tactics for Prevention, P 105-119, 2003, Dell P. Hackett, and John M. Violanti, eds., -- See NCJ-199787)

NCJ Number
199794
Author(s)
Teresa T. Tate
Date Published
2003
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses responding to the needs of the family after a police suicide.
Abstract
When a police suicide occurs in the home, a family member may be present and witness the act. Interviewing the family member at the home in a controlled environment is suggested. The investigating officer should understand the trauma that was witnessed by the survivor. Many police departments have established crisis intervention teams to respond to critical incidents. When the death occurs away from the home, there tends to be fewer traumas inflicted on the survivor. The police department should ensure that notification is made directly to the surviving spouse or parent. The first response the family may have is shock and denial. The funeral home will surrender the officer’s personal effects to the family if requested. There has been much debate about whether or not a police officer that dies by suicide should receive the same funeral protocol as an officer that was killed in the line of duty. Police departments need to develop a policy on funeral protocol that will allow the officers to express their grief, offer condolences to the family, and participate in memorials. There are few benefits available to the family of a police officer that completes suicide. Personnel employees should be prepared to discuss questions concerning life insurance, health insurance, social security benefits, retirement benefits, death annuities, vacation pay, and a final payroll check. Many police departments have instituted a department Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide outside resources for counseling on personal issues, financial issues, or legal issues. These programs should be readily accessible to family members as well as employees. The conduct and attitude of the police department may determine whether additional trauma and anger will be experienced by the survivors. 1 reference