Law Enforcement Suicide

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Why do officers take their own lives? Relationship difficulties play a large role in police suicide. This is a finding consistent with general suicide research as well as military suicide research.

Police suicide rates also have been associated with shift work, inconsistencies in the criminal justice system, alcohol and substance abuse, personal legal troubles, and a negative public image. Alcohol coupled with depression and chronic stress is the most common triad in completed LEO suicides.12 Another factor may be conflict with the police administration. In addition, some officers may choose suicide to escape from an intolerable or unbearable situation, such as facing prosecution for wrongdoing or public humiliation.13

Police culture also appears to be a factor. Police officers may hold unrealistically high expectations for themselves. There is pressure to always be right, but no one can always be right. They are immersed in a culture where they always need to be in control, but no one can always be in control. They are forced to make life-and-death decisions in a split second, and then their decisions are scrutinized in court for months and sometimes years.14

There is some support for the idea that near constant exposure to human suffering is a factor. LEOs see more disturbing images in the first couple years of their career than most people see in a lifetime: death, destruction, human tragedy, negative relationships, horrific accidents, and unspeakable crime scenes. In addition, officers can become somewhat desensitized to violence and even suicide. The idea of dying by gunshot is not horrifying and strange; it is familiar and known.

Since LEOs often develop considerable skills in masking signs of distress or trouble, they are less likely to display many of the standard signs and symptoms related to impending suicide.15 Lastly, officers have immediate access to a highly effective means of suicide. The vast majority (96.1 percent) of LEOs commit suicide with a firearm.16

Lastly, in the past, reluctance to obtain professional psychological may have played a role. Many LEOs feared the consequences of admitting to emotional problems. Although younger peace officers appear more comfortable with psychological assistance, even they may be discouraged from seeking assistance if the agency involved does not provide the assistance, does not make assistance well publicized or easily accessible, or creates an environment that pairs seeking assistance with weakness, failure, shame, or job consequences.17

What about small agencies? The vast majority of police agencies have fewer than 50 employees.18 The risk for suicide actually appears greater at smaller agencies.19 Smaller agencies may not have a peer support organization or access to trained mental health providers who specialize in treating LEOs. Workload is often more intensive in smaller agencies, with one or two officers per shift handling all calls requesting police assistance. Further, there is a lack of anonymity that can be an issue in a small agency. LEOs will often be recognized while off duty. And if LEOs find therapists they feel comfortable consulting, these professionals are likely to be people in the small community with offices the LEOs will be seen entering. Lastly, smaller agencies may have limited budgets for training or programs that enhance wellness or psychological self-care.

Who completes suicide? Recent research has collected demographic information on completed law enforcement suicides.20 The average LEO who completes suicide is a male and 38.7 years old with 12.2 years in the field. The person is usually below the rank of sergeant (88.7 percent.)