NCJ Number
175116
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 67 Issue: 7 Dated: July 1998 Pages: 19-24
Date Published
1998
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes QPR, a new suicide intervention program for police officers.
Abstract
QPR stands for: Questioning the meaning of possible suicidal communications; Persuading a person in crisis to accept help; and Referring the person to the appropriate resource. More law enforcement officers lose their lives to suicide than to homicide, and QPR has particular application to law enforcement environments. Because of the close-knit associations and the need for teamwork, both between the officers and their partners and among spouses and family members throughout the organization, there are many opportunities for early interventions. Although suicide is always complex and multifactorial, most experts consider that the majority are preventable. QPR involves confrontation, intervention and referral, not a formal psychological evaluation, ongoing counseling or treatment. Police personnel learning what intervention steps to take and then taking them could mean the difference between life and death. Notes