Identifying Suicidal Signs: Correlates of Suicides in Law Enforcement

This chapter focuses on suicide among law enforcement officers: the reasons, signs, and some suggestions for improvement. A negative public scrutiny, trauma, exposure to violence, riots—sometimes risking their lives—all add up to a sense of isolation among police together with frustration, pent up aggression, and eventual depression. Conditions such as these are ripe for suicide, and recent evidence indicates that law enforcement workers have an increased risk for suicide when compared the U.S. general working population. There are main recognizable signs of suicide among police, but also signs associated with the occupation itself. For example, the lack of support from the police organization appears to be associated with increasing levels of suicide ideation among officers. Additionally, the intensity and frequency of traumatic incidents experienced at work is far greater than what the average citizen will ever experience. A worsening of the police situation is the influence of the police culture when it comes to seeking help from mental health professionals. Officers may feel that if they admit mental health problems and seek help, they will be less trusted by peers and supervisors and may lose opportunities for promotions. To prevent suicide in this occupation, there is a need for the establishment of stronger trust between officers and the organization and for the reduction of stigma associated with depression and suicide.