This book takes an in-depth look at the phenomenon of police officer suicide. Centered on statistical information collected from cases of officer suicide from 2017 to 2019, this volume helps readers understand the circumstances surrounding death by suicide amongst law enforcement personnel and makes recommendations for identification and prevention. Through interview and case presentations, this volume examines the lives and last days and weeks of several officers, using findings from social media, departmental surveys, medical examiner reports, toxicology reports and interviews with loved ones and colleagues to create a psychological autopsy. With 14 chapters contributed by former law enforcement, researchers, and mental health professionals, it addresses national, state, and local policy implications and strategies, presenting a theory for better understanding and preventing the phenomenon of officer suicide. This volume will be of interest to researchers in policing, to law enforcement and first responder leadership and administrative professionals, and to mental health practitioners and clinicians working with this unique population

There is no question that more police officers die from suicide than those killed in the line of duty. The suicide and attempted suicide of police officers is a mental health concern that has been neglected for far too long.Police Suicide: Is Police Culture Killing Our Officers? provides realistic insight into the life of a police officer through a

The range of information in this book is broad and offers strategies and tactics that may help to prevent suicides. It was written by several skilled and caring professionals, and it was their aim to give law enforcement officers, administrators, and mental health professionals additional information and skills in dealing with law enforcement officers in crisis. It will be interesting and useful to those who would read it with the intention of understanding this dilemma faced by law enforcement and who have a desire to continue the search for possible solutions. The book contains far more than that which would usually come to mind concerning the subject of self-destructive behavior. Its main focus concerns such diverse and very important areas as the police culture, the supervisor's role in intervention, departmental denial of the problem, getting officers to seek help, family issues, and survivor issues. All are intended to get the reader closer to being able to identify officers who may be in harms way, offer solutions to those who seek help, and hopefully prevent police suicides. Only recently has the identification of police stress and the subsequent counterproductive behaviors been exposed and accepted within the culture. We have learned that the police occupation is different from all others and that it is all right to be different. This new understanding may also provide a potential remedy for some of law enforcement's greatest ills: alcohol abuse, family abuse, and the subsequent consequences. It is the hope, therefore, that the information in this book will prevent future suicides and even reverse the thinking that leads to such life-ending decisions. It is a 'must read' for law enforcement officers, probation and parole officers, supervisors, mental health professionals, educators, criminal justice students and professors. It is complete and well researched; a cooperative effort, not a competitive one; a journey of discovery and hope.

Police work involves the difficult task of preventing community dysfunction and preserving law and order within the community. Officers who deal with human misery on a daily basis work under a hidden danger not visible on the street: that of psychological harm. UNDER THE BLUE SHADOW was written to provide clinical cases and research in one volume in order to help provide a well-rounded view of police officers who work under these conditions. It will be a valuable resource for helping officers to survive this psychologically dangerous occupation. The authors of this book have both had experience with policing. The cases described in this book are from the files of Stephanie Samuels who has counseled troubled officers for many years. Dr. John M. Violanti is a 23-year veteran of the New York State Police and has conducted research on police trauma and suicide for 20 years. Police officers and executives, counselors, and other mental health professionals will find the book to be a valuable addition to their library. Chapters include: Introduction; Working with the Police: A Therapist's View; Research on Police Suicide; The Police Role and Suicide Risk; Posttraumatic Stress, the Police, and Suicide; Trauma and Police Suicide Ideation; The Police Organization and Suicide; Suicide by Cop: Impact on Police Officers; Suicide by Suspect: Suicide by Cop Turned Inside Out; Other Psychological Issues in Policing; and Police Suicide Prevention: Future Directions.

According to the CDC (2005), suicide claims approximately 30,000 lives each year in the United States. The law enforcement profession is a dangerous profession that oftentimes dramatically influences an officer's perceptions of incidents often related to the repeated exposure to trauma. The intention of this research project was to explore the lived understanding of police officers regarding their acuity with respect to the subject of officer suicides. A qualitative phenomenological research was conducted, consisting of nine demographic and nine open-ended interview questions. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed throughout the interview process. The research project examined the awareness levels of police officers in a local metropolitan agency in Miami-Dade County, Florida. A review of the information provided by this research study resulted in five major themes focusing on (a) suicide prevention, (b) talking about suicide, (c) prevention training, (d) identifying available outside resources, and (e) understanding the police culture. The conclusions reached as a result of this research project could broaden the existing literature of suicide and may assist police administrators who may face the issue of police officers considering suicide.

From the Back Cover: In this second edition of Police Suicide: Epidemic in Blue, the author brings together "old and new" information on police suicide and he introduces some promising findings. In doing so, he clarifies some issues and provides a source of information for police officers, administrators, and academic researchers. In this lucidly written book of ten chapters, Doctor Violanti discusses the classical studies in suicide, the accuracy and validity of police suicide rates, probable precipitating factors associated with police suicide, the impact of retirement, the idea of "suicide by suspect", the antecedents of murder-suicide, the plight of survivors of police suicide, and information and suggestions for police suicide prevention. Also discussed is the relationship between suicide and the reluctance of police officers to seek professional help. Suggestions are made for police suicide prevention that includes intervention programs and suicide awareness training. The author stresses that the first and most important step in preventing suicide is to recognize the problem. It is hoped that this new edition will provide an additional resource to help prevent these deaths.

Suicide has been declared an epidemic and rates of suicide increase within occupational subcultures experiencing increased levels of stress and trauma, such as law enforcement. Explored in the qualitative phenomenological study were the lived experiences of White, male law enforcement officers concerning perceptions of care by administrators and peers and the influence of mental health training in the incidence of officer suicide. The study population was chosen because of the resemblance to the segment of the general population deemed at-risk for suicide. Officers provided perceptions of care in dealing with difficult situations, police culture, police training, and police suicide. Interviews allowed officers to reveal perceptions and beliefs about the affects of training on perceptions of care and on the incidence of officer suicide. Officer interviews revealed five major themes and two minor themes. Major themes included stress, stress relief, trust/loyalty, training, and change. Minor themes included generational issues and organizational administration. The largest stressor for the study population included crimes and incidents against children. The results of the study can help further educate administrators and officers about the emotional dangers facing law enforcement officers and the importance of organizational administration in assisting officers in acknowledging and overcoming issues concerning mental health.