NCJ Number
169189
Date Published
1996
Length
44 pages
Annotation
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) suicide rates between January 1984 and December 1995 were determined through an examination of insurance records and psychological autopsies completed on suicide victims.
Abstract
During these years, RCMP suicide rates were 16.02 per 100,000 compared to 26.63 per 100,000 for the general population. The recent RCMP suicide rate is similar to the 1960-1983 RCMP suicide rate of 14.1 per 100,000 (Menton, 1984). Complete information on stressors and factors related to the suicidal act were impossible to obtain; however, some stressors and factors related to the suicides were alcohol abuse, depression, marital problems, financial difficulties, legal problems unrelated to work, illness, and a family member committing suicide. Work-related stress was sometimes involved in the suicide, but was generally no different from the stress experienced by members who did not commit suicide. A small but significant number (25.9 percent) of suicides had engaged in or were accused of engaging in unethical or illegal acts. Some suggestions for suicide prevention are offered. 7 tables and 47 references