Police Suicide: Why don't we talk about it until it's too late!

By Robert Tornabene
As law enforcement officers we are faced with physically and emotionally dangerous profession, we must also recognized that there are factors present that are unique to our environment that impact our ability as officers to successfully reflect on and report feelings that can lead to suicide. It is common for officers to distrust the administration and feel that there bosses to not care. Too often, when officers are encouraged to report situations in which they or their fellow officers are at an emotional crisis point, but then it appears as if the officer’s have been punished by being removed from duty, assigned to desk duty, or placed on medical leave.

Add caption

 Law Enforcement Families: The Ultimate Backup

It is easy to understand some of the issues impacting us as law enforcement officers about suicide. The heart of our very self concept identifies us as action-oriented people who are problem solvers. We do not perhaps, cannot perceive ourselves as individuals who have problems and consequently, when we find ourselves in our own personal crisis situations, we do not recognize or know how to handle them correctly. It is at that time that the perception of hopelessness and the belief that we have no other way out becomes pronounced.

In addition to the issues we are faced with is the issue of how to deal with officers who are posed with the problem where do you get mental health resources to assist me in my difficulties. Most of us distrust mental health professional, doubt their sincerity and understanding of a law enforcement officer’s job and believe that they are the pipeline of privileged information back to the department administration. In any success is to come from an intervention program it requires us to successfully overcome these perceptions and express our feelings when the opportunity presents itself. Here at the Niles Police Department we are unique to have a resource of Niles Family Services staff, which has a law enforcement counseling background.

In these very difficult economic times, cold/flu season, the close proximity to the anniversary of Detective Champoulos’ death and the approach of the holidays can directly impact us much harder than we think.

IDENTIFYING THE WARNING SIGNS

There are a number of behaviors which normally serve as warning signs for any officer under extreme stress, including:

• expressed feelings of sexual inadequacy, impotence or dysfunction;
• an increase in citizen complaints;
• a sudden and extreme change in personality, for example, the officer who is normally loud and expressive, becomes the next day withdrawn and quiet
• an increase in complaints by fellow officers and
• an increase in on-duty accidents or worker compensation claims.

The above warning signs are on top of those signs which may manifest themselves through off-duty behavior as well. Officers who are reflecting prolonged grief or depression; those who may begin or are giving away possession, discussing their funeral plans or newly write wills or those who face anniversary of a significant emotional event (either professional or personal). Many of us as officers who may be feeling this way may also express helplessness in situations including their home life. The officer may begin to withdraw from colleagues, friends and family members. What should raise concern for our fellow officers is when these clear personal circumstances begin to appear: pronounced alcohol or substance abuse; major internal or criminal investigations, which might result in arrest, termination or severe disciplinary action; upheaval in an officer’s personal relationships, history of psychological problems or financial difficulties, in some cases extreme difficulty.

As fellow officer’s in blue, when we see our brothers and sisters experiencing these difficulties it should be considered your responsibility to bring it to attention of the administration or try to assist the officers to seek help. Many times, the officer’s who are contemplating suicide will begin to show “leakage”, it is at those times we, those officer’s around him or her must be able to see the “leakage” and act accordingly to get them the help they need.

Management must also be prepared to act formally and informally to support the identification of the officer’s problem and be willing to address those problems. It is imperative that as administrators, that we not only have to be firm authoritarians but also compassionate and committed to helping our personnel. In these fiscally trying times, when budgets are already cut to the bone, creative methods by management might need to be used in order to address the manpower shortfall during this “department emergency.” The result if we fail to act, may be far more catastrophic to the overall health of the department, including productivity, sick leave and overall well being.

As officer and administrators we can not deny that police suicide is real. We have experienced it, we know it is real, the likelihood that it could reoccur is possible as well. If we remain silent when a fellow officer is in a crisis the results can be fatal. We must be able to recognize the issues that our fellow officers are faced with and know what we can do to get them the help they need.

THE DIALOGUE

Where to begin is many times the most common question you are faced with when trying to address a person whom you may feel is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Talking with the person in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational way can be the help a person needs to seek professional help. What is OK to discuss with someone who may be experiences these thoughts, or perhaps asking yourself if you are experiencing them as well. The following questions are OK to ask:

•  "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
• "Have you decided how you are going to do it?"
•  "Have you thought about when you re going to commit suicide?"

If they have answered yes to all of these, YOU CAN NOT WAIT. This person is in need of immediate help and you must act accordingly.

By asking these questions it will allow you to begin to assess if your fellow officer or friend is in immediate danger, and get help if needed. A suicidal person should see a doctor or mental health professional immediately, seeking professional help is imperative, waiting or allowing the officer you suspect is contemplating suicide to say, “I will see someone tomorrow.”, is not an option. Immediately bring this up to a fellow officer or to a supervisor. Take thoughts of or plans for suicide seriously.

Never keep a plan for suicide a secret. Don’t worry about risking a friendship or the officer’s job if you truly feel a life is in danger. You have bigger things to worry about-someone’s life might be in danger! It is better to lose a relationship from violating a confidence than it is to go to a funeral. And most of the time they will come back and thank you for saving their life.

Don't try to minimize problems or shame a person into changing their mind. Your opinion of a person's situation is irrelevant. Trying to convince a person suffering with a mental illness that it's not that bad, or that they have everything to live for may only increase their feelings of guilt and hopelessness. Reassure them that help is available, that depression is treatable, and that suicidal feelings are temporary. Life can get better!

If you feel the person isn't in immediate danger, acknowledge the pain as legitimate and offer to work together to get help. Make sure you follow through. This is one instance where you must be tenacious in your follow-up. Help find a doctor or a mental health professional, participate in making the first phone call, or go along to the first appointment. If you're in a position to help, don't assume that your persistence is unwanted or intrusive. Risking your feelings to help save a life is a risk worth taking.

If you are feeling stressed out and believe you are in need to of help consider the following, stress reducers: Exercise, meditation, martial arts, running or playing of a sport. Stay away from drinking of any alcohol or use of drugs or tobacco; although they may initially offer some form of comfort the effects have a negative effect both physically and emotionally.

 

Seeking professional help to talk about your problems, many officers feel that this will result in them being removed from duty, but the benefits of working through the emotional issues that you are faced with outweigh the very minute chance that you will be removed from duty. Consider writing your feeling down, "journaling" is a form of self help. By places those emotions on paper you are expressing them, in some fashion like speaking to a counselor. In addition, you may re-read those words and begin to see that you indeed do need help and will seek the appropriate help for your issues. If you have withdrawn from your friends and family, reach out to them, begin to reestablish your social life. It is important if not imperative; the human being is not a solitary animal. We are societal in nature, we have to belong to and interact with someone and something, so get involved. Volunteerism is an outstanding way for you to work through issues of isolation and emotional stress. Helping of others has a desired impact on the brain and the releasing of endorphins which can greatly enhance your emotional state.

Nothing that is outlined in this awareness paper should in any way be considered an alternative to professional help, but with the anniversary of Tommy’s death passing and the rapid approach of the holidays we should consider that there are members of a family in blue that are in trouble and need our help. I am sure that there is not an officer here who wants to experience what we experienced with Tom’s passing. Look to your right and left in roll call and think could they need help? Do I need help? Does the boss need help? Then act!

In memory of Det. Tom Champolous EOW 4/8/2005