Archive

The Honor Roll
Law enforcement is a demanding and dangerous occupation. Anyone who might doubt this assertion need only visit The Officer Down Memorial Page (www.odmp.org) to review the current statistics. Across the nation an average of twelve officers each month lose their lives in the line of duty. We can only hope that at year’s end the total will not surpass last year’s of 153.

Studies indicate that a police officer dies in the line of duty in the U.S. about every 54 hours. During my Tactical Skills for Officer Survival Course, I focus on those tasks that most often result in officers being seriously injured and killed, and offer suggestions for reducing the risks. I discuss the inherent dangers associated with everything from pedestrian checks and vehicle stops to building entry.

BIG Dirty Secret
In future postings of The Briefing I intend to write about these “traditional” law enforcement endeavors. However, I felt an obligation to discuss in this first offering the greatest single threat to officers’ longevity: Suicide. I refer to police suicide as “Law Enforcement’s Dirty BIG Secret” since, despite the frequency with which it occurs, it’s a topic seldom discussed. And the numbers are startling: A police officer commits suicide in this nation about every 22 hours – it’s estimated that more than 400 cops die each year in this fashion. In fact, cops are eight times more likely to kill themselves than to be murdered, and three times more likely to die at their own hand than to lose their life in a job-related accident.

When officers make the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties, their co-workers and families often find solace in the fact that they died doing what they loved. But when officers kill themselves, everyone is left wondering “why,” and pondering what they might have done to prevent this horrible tragedy. The true victims of suicide are those left behind.

The fact is that cops, just like “regular people,” face challenges in their personal lives and relationships. Also, police officers, like first responding emergency medical providers, are frequently exposed to the ugly aftermath of violence. But with greater frequency than other emergency responders, cops are attacked not only by those who have hurt others, by also by the very people they’re trying to help. Add to this constant threat that they must perform under the microscope of administrative, public and political scrutiny and, with so much expected of them, the pressure can quickly mount. The culture of police work plays a role as well, since officers typically expose only their macho exteriors while they internalize conflict and silently suffer. Most find a healthy way to cope. Sadly, many do not.

Danger Zone?
Who’s at the greatest risk for suicide? Officers who’ve experienced the death of a spouse, child, or close friend/partner, those who have recently divorced, those who have been involved in a shooting or similar critical event - which certainly is not limited to having been shot or shooting someone - and those exposed to embarrassment and ridicule because of accusations of job-related impropriety.

What can we do?
If a brother or sister officer seems uncharacteristically depressed, sad, angry or on the verge of being overwhelmed by it all, reach out! If it’s you, seek help! Most agencies provide employee assistance programs, as well as peer support personnel and police chaplains. If you’re concerned about the confidentiality of your discussions, as you should be, ask the counselor in you first meeting to explain the limitations.

The first step is the most difficult one. Whether it’s to acknowledge your own vulnerability or to speak with the troubled coworker, a life may literally hang in the balance. As cops are fond of saying, “Do it now!”

From the comfort or your home or office, you may also wish to visit the following websites and access the resources they recommend. Many offer training courses for first responders, police officers, and survivors.

National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation – www.psf.org
The Heavy Badge – www.heavybadge.com
Tears of a Cop – www.tearsofacop.com
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation – www.icisf.org
Concerns or Police Survivors – www.nationalcops.org

Until next time, dedicate yourself to do what you must so that you can “Live to Retire!”

Doyle “D.T.” Wright
"DT" retired from the Riverside County, California, Sheriff’s Department, and since 1998 has traveled throughout the country to provide law enforcement training related to officer survival, high risk warrant planning and execution, police action shootings and tactical response to dynamic events.

If you have an immediate need for information, please contact us by phone at: 317-733-1971 or we can be reached by email at: dtw169@livetoretire.com