NCJ Number
29637
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (1975) Pages: 267-273
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION OF DIFFERENT PSYCOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF SUICIDE AND THEIR APPLICABILITY IN EXPLAINING THE HIGH SUICIDE RATE OF POLICE OFFICERS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES VARIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES ON SUICIDE, SPECIFICALLY THE ZILBOORG - FRIEDMAN STUDY OF NEW YORK CITY POLICE SUICIDES FROM 1934 TO 1940. THIS STUDY ATTEMPTS TO CORRELATE DISPLACEMENT OF EXTERNALLY DIRECTED HOMICIDE IMPULSES, CAUSED BY THE ENACTMENT OF RESTRICTIVE DEPARTMENTAL REGULATIONS ON THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE, WITH THE HIGH RATE OF POLICE SUICIDES. IT IS THE AUTHORS CONTENTION THAT SOCIOLOGICAL FACTORS SUCH AS DURKEIM'S CONCEPTS OF ANOMIC SUICIDE AND THE STRESS OF THE POLICE OFFICER'S JOB ARE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. FREQUENT INSTANCES OF ALCOHOLISM MAY ALSO LEAD DIRECTLY TO SUICIDE OR INDIRECTLY TO ACCIDENTAL DEATH WHICH COULD MISTAKENLY BE TERMED SUICIDE.