Effective Postvention for Police Suicide (From Police Suicide: Tactics for Prevention, P 88-104, 2003, Dell P. Hackett, and John M. Violanti, eds., -- See NCJ-199787)

• NCJ Number: 199793
• Author(s): Robert Loo
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses actions taken after a suicide to help survivors.

Abstract

The term “postvention” describes the sorts of actions taken after a suicide largely to help survivors such as family, friends, and co-workers. Survivors of a suicide can be viewed as victims of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in need of assistance in dealing with their grief reaction. Some signs and symptoms of distress and bereavement resulting from the suicide of an officer are feelings of depression, grief, helplessness, abandonment, and guilt. There may be anger towards the suicide victim, the police department, other survivors, or the media. The major steps in postventions include establishing and executing a standing operating procedure for postvention; having a crisis team trained and ready; and having a debriefing facility readily available. The issue of suicide contagion is important because police are armed and can readily commit suicide in an impulsive moment. Police supervisors and health professionals must be alert to any warning signs that a survivor is experiencing suicidal ideation or intent. In a model for suicide postvention for police, two program areas are emphasized: the critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) and survivor support. The CISD has the following characteristics: (1) a single session, half-day or full-day (2) a group session for survivors to share their common grief; (3) occurs within 1 to 3 days of the suicide; (4) a secluded and safe location is used; and (5) the selection, training, and experience of a facilitator to ensure the process is conducted effectively. The steps are to describe the process and set ground rules for the session; express feelings about the suicide; draw out signs and symptoms of distress; and prepare an after action report to the police department and health professionals. Psychological autopsies are useful in addressing three questions: (1) what was the mode of suicide; (2) what were the circumstances surrounding the suicide; and (3) why did the officer commit suicide. Policies and programs for postvention should be evaluated periodically. 32 references, appendix