Police Reactions to Suicide by Cop (From Suicide and Law Enforcement, P 647-652, 2001, Donald C. Sheehan and Janet I. Warren, eds. -- See NCJ-193528)

• NCJ Number: 193584
• Author(s): Carol K. Oyster
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• 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

In examining the phenomenon of "suicide-by-cop" (a subject forcing a police officer to shoot him/her as a means of committing suicide), this article considers the prevalence of such incidents and how police organizations should prepare themselves and their officers for such incidents.

Abstract

"Suicide-by-cop" (SBC) occurs with relative frequency, but many, if not most, officers are untrained and unprepared for such incidents. Officers must be trained in assessing potential SBC situations. Understanding the situation may significantly reduce the probability of a tragic outcome. Officers should be trained in determining when to back off from a confrontation and when to use a violent response. Such training also serves to mitigate officer guilt should the use of force be required, since the officer has complied with the training and policy set by the department for such incidents. Should an officer be involved in a SBC incident that results in having to kill the subject, swift intervention through a critical incident debriefing may lessen the impact of the incident on the officer. Psychological research has shown that the single most effective buffer against a negative psychological or physical reaction to stress is social support. In situations such as SBC, it is important that the support come from within the police establishment.