NCJ Number
49886
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM DISCUSSES AND DEMONSTRATES STRATEGIES FOR HANDLING ATTEMPTED AND THREATENED SUICIDES.
Abstract
THE POLICE STRATEGIES BEGIN WITH THE INITIAL CALL-IN AND THE DISPATCHER'S RESPONSE TO THE THREAT, AND THE FOLLOWTHROUGH TO THE TACTICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES NECESSARY TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE RESPONDING OFFICERS AND THE PERSON ATTEMPTING SUICIDE. SEVERAL CASE HISTORIES ILLUSTRATE BOTH WHAT AND WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN FACED WITH A POTENTIAL SUICIDE. THE CASE HISTORIES UNDERSCORE THE POINT THAT SOMETIMES, EVEN AFTER THE POLICE OFFICER HAS DONE AN EXTREMELY GOOD JOB OF INTERVENTION, THE THREAT WILL NEVERTHELESS BE CARRIED OUT. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE IMPORTANCE OF OFFICER ATTITUDE IN THIS TYPE OF CRISIS INTERVENTION, THE MOTIVATION BEHIND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, METHODS FOR ENSURING THE SAFETY OF BYSTANDERS AND OFFICERS, AND SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES FOR DISSUADING A PERSON ATTEMPTING SUICIDE. POLICE OFFICERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO STALL FOR TIME, TO TAKE ALL THREATS SERIOUSLY, AND TO GATHER ALL POSSIBLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE THREAT. FOLLOWING SUICIDE ATTEMPTS POLICE SHOULD INSPECT THE AREA FOR ANY SIGNS OF POSSIBLE DRUG OVERDOSE, ADMINISTER FIRST-AID, AND CALL FOR HELP, IF NECESSARY. A HANDBOOK IS INCLUDED. (BAC)