NCJ Number
193534
Date Published
2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
On November 20, 1998, Police Chief Thomas A. Moffatt of Rhode Island's 47-member Central Falls Police Department committed suicide at his headquarters; this article discusses the supports provided, miscues experienced, and lessons learned as a department coped with a multiplicity of victims, a multi-jurisdictional investigation, and intense political and media interest.
Abstract
The notification procedure is first described, followed by a review of requests for assistance. The author of this article assisted in the response to this crisis as a representative of the Rhode Island Centurion Program. The Rhode Island Critical Incident Stress management Team (CISM) was assigned to provide critical incident defusing to staff members. The details of the efforts to provide support of departmental personnel for the duration of the incident are described. Ongoing departmental, State, municipal, and media investigations have prolonged the tragedy for several months. The investigation revealed that apparently Chief Moffatt had developed an addiction to gambling in his personal life. Unable or unwilling to seek assistance, the addiction subsequently affected his professional judgment, as he misappropriated department funds. On the morning of his suicide, he had been requested by a State union official to meet for a discussion of ethical concerns regarding the chief's borrowing of money from other officers. One of the lessons drawn from this case is the importance of a department having a well-publicized employee assistance program that encourages employees to seek help for personal problems without fear of adverse job consequences.