1. Police Suicide Presented by Nicole Duranceaux, Ph.D.
Albuquerque Police Department
Behavioral Sciences Division
2/24/2019

2. Overview How common is police suicide?
What are the risk factors for suicide in anyone?
Are cops different?
What are the risk factors in police suicides?
How to help a fellow cop kill himself
Decreasing the likelihood it will happen
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3. How common is police suicide?
The overall suicide rate for the general population ranges between 11 and 14 per 100,000
Albuquerque P.D
NYPD
Chicago P.D.,
L.A.P.D.,
F.B.I.,
San Diego P.D.,
U.S. Customs,
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4. Police Suicide Some Context: in 1998
Police officer suicides are twice as likely to be misclassified than the suicide of other professionals.
Twice as many police officers take their own lives than are killed in the line of duty.
Suicide doesn’t just “happen,” it occurs in a context.
Some Context: in 1998
Over 300 law enforcement officers committed suicide
In the line of duty deaths numbered 178.

5. General Risk Factors Depression Alcohol or drug abuse Hopelessness
Impending loss, especially a relationship
Isolation
Loss of self esteem, job, reputation, freedom
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6. Depression Depressed mood Lack of pleasure in life Irritability
Poor concentration
Weight loss, gain
Withdrawal from peers, loved ones
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7. Depression
The person suffering from depression may seek relief or diversion by engaging in behaviors that are temporarily satisfying, but ultimately harmful:
-alcohol abuse
-gambling (or overspending in general)
-extramarital affairs
-police corruption
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8. Are cops different?
We live in a culture where control is not only desirable, it keeps us alive.
Police officers must project power and authority to do the job.
Problem solving is what we do every day
Police work serves up a daily diet of trauma, disappointment, fear, violence and sadness.
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9. Are cops different?
Circumstances demand that we put aside our feelings to get the job done, much like nurses, firefighters and EMTs.
Cops are expected to be able to “do something”, to bring order from chaos and to bring hope where there is fear.
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10. What are the risk factors?
While control may keep you alive on the street, it can become dysfunctional in relationships.
The most common precipitating event in police suicide is a disintegrating relationship.
The need for power and authority may lead to domestic violence.
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11. Risk factors
When a police officer cannot solve his/her own problems, feelings of failure follow.
The work world of the police officer breeds cynicism, secondary PTSD, distrust, suspiciousness, anger and disappointment.
After learning to suppress feelings at work, cops risk losing the ability to deal with them in their personal lives .
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12. Risk factors
When normal feelings of inadequacy, frustration or fear occur, the police officer may lack the tools to deal with them effectively.
The inability to “do something” to solve family or relationship problems may make suicide seem like “the only way out.”
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13. How to help a cop kill himself
Encourage alcohol abuse
Reward “risky” behavior, such as gambling or extramarital affairs
Maintain the myth of invulnerability
Turn your back on corruption
Ignore signs of depression
Make fun of anyone who seeks help
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14. How to decrease your chances of dying by your own hand
Work as hard at your relationship to your wife or husband as you do at your job
Leave the need for control on the street
Understand that you cannot ignore the negative effects of this job; instead, learn to restore your soul every day
Realize that some problems are not solved by the force of your will
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15. Decrease your chances Don’t abuse alcohol or drugs.
Do not tolerate violence in your relationships
Take thoughts of suicide as a warning, let them scare you into seeking help.
Use the resources available to you - friends, mentors, professional counselors, clergy.
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16. How to leave the job at work
Exercise at the end of shift.
Negotiate some “decompression time” with your family - use the time to take a shower, lift weights, read, work on hobbies, pray or do whatever works to enable you to be a loving, concerned and interested spouse and parent.
Use your vacation time.
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17. How to intervene
Approach your friend in a concerned and sincere manner.
Tell him/her what behaviors or attitudes you have observed that lead you to raise the issue of depression.
Be prepared to listen and know what resources are available.
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18. Where to get help
Talk it out with friends, mentors or a trusted supervisor.
Utilize the services of the department’s Behavioral Sciences Unit.
Use your health plan.
Seek counseling at your church.
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19. Confidentiality
Contact between a police officer and his/her professional therapist is protected under Jaffee v. Redmond, 1996.
If you need to be out of the line of fire temporarily, allow the therapist to help you do that.
Don’t let a temporary bout of depression get you or a fellow officer hurt or killed.
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