Law Enforcement Suicide: Psychological Autopsies and Psychometric Traces (From Suicide and Law Enforcement, P 223-233, 2001, Donald C. Sheehan and Janet I. Warren, eds. -- See NCJ-193528)

• NCJ Number: 193549
• Author(s): James S. Herndon
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: A paper submitted to the Suicide and Law Enforcement Conference, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA, September 1999.

Annotation

This study examined the pre-suicide behavioral patterns of police officers who committed suicide (n=3), along with their pre-employment psychological profile; findings were compared with a small sample (n=7) of other officers who had threatened suicide but did not complete the act.

Abstract

All 10 cases were from the files of a medium-sized law enforcement agency in the South. The three suicide cases occurred during the period of 1994-96. The other seven cases consisted of sheriff's deputies who had threatened or attempted suicide during the same time period. In all cases, pre-employment psychological test data were available for analysis. On a case-by-case basis, other psychometric data were collected throughout the deputies' careers; these were analyzed for signs of change toward self-destructive behavior. For the three suicides, a psychological "autopsy" sought to identify lifestyle and environmental factors that may have had a role in the suicides. Data showed that those who committed suicide were more defensive and guarded at the time of applying for employment with the agency compared with those who threatened or attempted suicide. Other differences between "succeeders" and "attempters" were in higher scores for hysteria, paranoia, psychasthenia, and schizophrenia. These differences were also apparent when compared with all other applicants. Psychometric data from fitness-for-duty evaluations revealed an escalation of adverse mental conditions such as defensiveness, depression, sensitivity, and paranoia. Some, but not all, the subjects studied had dependent, histrionic, and narcissistic personality features, as well as signs and symptoms of endogenous or situational depression. Poor coping skills and problem-solving deficiencies, along with difficulty in relationships were generally observable in most cases. Environmental factors in all 10 cases included internal investigation, job stress, injury while on duty, the loss of a loved one, criminal charges, and political/organizational pressure. Due to the small sample sizes, further research should be conducted. 1 table