Developing Policy To Combat Police Suicide (From Suicide and Law Enforcement, P 181-191, 2001, Donald C. Sheehan and Janet I. Warren, eds. -- See NCJ-193528)

• NCJ Number: 193546
• Author(s): Ronald R. Thrasher
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: A paper submitted to the Suicide and Law Enforcement Conference, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA, September 1999.

Annotation

Based in the view that police suicide results from a socialization process of learned behavior, this article discusses ways in which police organizations can influence the learning of positive behaviors for coping with stress.

Abstract

Learned behavior begins by observing an action, situation, or behavior. The behavior is then cognitively coded in a retention process that relates the new memory to other similar occurrences and then plays out the behavior in a mental performance. Learning occurs when the learned behavior is physically performed. Police aspirants generally observe and learn their police roles or police behavior from two sources: "war stories" and the media. These sources portray the police role as constantly heroic and life-threatening. Many individuals rely on this information in making the decision to enter a police career. The selection process reinforces many of the role expectations and the freedom to violate social patterns learned from "war stories" and the media. In the academy and in field training, officers are conditioned to be alert to possible dangers, even though they may rarely occur. This constant state of alertness takes its toll on both officers and their families. Once off-duty, emotionally exhausted officers find ways to cope with their emotional "roller coaster." Ways of coping may include withdrawal, noncommunication, "mindless" television, and other pursuits that foster isolation. Some officers overcompensate with drugs, anxiety addiction, or prescription medication. Suicide is another form of learned behavior for coping with stress. Unfortunately, suicide becomes so ingrained in the socialization process of the police culture that preventive techniques must be incorporated in all phases of the socialization into police work and its stresses. Suggestions offered in this article include training in positive coping mechanisms, the encouragement of healthy interests and activities outside the police culture, and the provision of peer support groups, spouse academies, and mandated use of employee assistance programs.