NCJ Number
199795
Date Published
2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the future research considerations and psychological autopsy hypotheses of police suicide.
Abstract
Denial by police departments that suicide is a problem is a problem that must be addressed. It seems that police agencies are beginning to understand the seriousness of suicide risk in police work. But there is a lack of information as to why police suicide occurs. This calls for more in-depth research into the lives and experiences of those officers that do commit suicide. Psychological autopsies may be an important research tool in determining police suicide precedents. The issues of stress, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use, depression, and relationship problems must be further explored. Most previous studies on police suicide provide evidence of high risk, but fall short of explaining individual and social factors leading to police suicide. This lack of information impedes efforts to prevent suicide among the police, other similar occupations, and specific age groups. Some ideas of why police officers might decide to choose suicide include major affective disorders and substance abuse disorders, severe violence at work, more life event stressors and smaller social networks, alcohol abuse, instant access to firearms, trust problems, and exposure to stressful traumatic events. Suicide is a consequence of the hidden psychological danger of police work. It is a clear indication of the strain placed on the police officer’s work and life roles. The problem should be adequately addressed and methods and means to prevent future tragedies should be provided.