Practical Considerations for Preventing Police Suicide: Stop Officer Suicide

Foreword
References
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
Editors and Contributors
About the Editors
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Pre-employment Eligibility and Predicating Self-Harm in Law Enforcement Personnel
	Introduction
		History of Pre-employment Screening for Police Officers
		International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
		Types of Psychological Assessments
		Importance of the Interview
		Legal Considerations in the Pre-employment Selection Process
		Cultural Changes, Values, and Generational Shifts
		Pre-employment Mental Health Screening
		Youth Mental Health and Bullying
		New Paradigms to Consider
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 2: Personal Baggage and Job Stress
	Introduction
	Defining Stress and Coping
	Distress Versus Eustress
	Acute and Critical Incident Stress
	Cumulative Stress and Burnout
	Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
	Stress Vulnerability Factors
	Additional Stress Considerations for Police Officers
	Organizational Stress
	Operational Versus Organizational Stress
	Personal Relationship Stressors
	Alcoholism and Stress
	Media as a Stressor
	Body-Worn Cameras
	COVID-19 as a Stressor
	Officer Suicide
	2017 Police Suicide Frequencies Based on Race, Gender, and Age
	2018 Police Suicide Frequencies Based on Race, Gender, and Age
	2019 Police Suicide Frequencies Based on Race, Gender, and Age
	Officer Resiliency and Protective Factors
	Enhancing Officer Safety and Wellness
	Best Practices Models
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 3: Police Suicide: The Hidden Danger
	Introduction
		Police Suicide Research
	Police Suicide Etiology: What’s behind this?
		Gender and Race
		Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
	How Do We End This Tragic Loss of Life?
		Suicide Contagion
		Recent Strategies for Prevention
		Suicide Postvention
		Suicide Survivors
		Protective Psychology: Building Resiliency
	Conclusions
	References
Chapter 4: The Mental Health Challenges Faced by Law Enforcement in America
	Mental Health Issues Among Police Officers
	Stigma: The Fly in the Ointment
	Currents Challenges Faced By
	Evidence-Based Treatment Protocols
	Adjunctive Techniques
	Prevention: The Mental Health Check-In (MHCI)
	The Real Life of a Cop
	Indirect Expressions of Pain
	Clinical Case One: When No Doesn’t Mean No
	Inside the Mind of a Therapist
	Case Study Two: Juan
	Case Study Three: Jayla
	Summary
	References
Chapter 5: Relationships: A “Make It or Break It” Suicidal Factor
	Homicide-Suicide of Law Enforcement Officers
	References
Chapter 6: Substance Use Disorder
	Introduction
	Police, Stress, Trauma, and Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms
	Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms and Substance Abuse
	References
Chapter 7: Shift Work in Law Enforcement: Mental and Physical Outcomes
	Introduction
		Shift Work and Mental Health
		Shift work, Physical health, and Suicide
	Reducing the Risk: Suggestions
		Reducing PTSD and Depression
		Police Health Considerations
	References
Chapter 8: Firearms: Accessibility, Lethality, and Risk Factors When a Firearm is Present in the Home
	Introduction
	The Facts About Guns in the Home
	Relationship Between Police Suicide and Guns
	Safety Measures: Gun Storage
	Safety Measures: Education
	Safety Measures: What a Police Agency Can Do
	Policies/Solutions
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 9: Cultural Influences and Expectations Surrounding Mental Health
	Law Enforcement Culture
	Aspects of the Culture
	Understanding the Effects of Stigma
		Mental Health, Police Culture, and Stigma
	Psychological Bases and Consequences of Police Culture for the Officer
	Culture of Suspicion
	Preservation of Subjective Feelings and Appearance of Invulnerability
	Consequences of Police Culture for the Officer with Mental Health Issues
	Suicide
	Future Directions in Educating Leadership
	Educating Academy Recruits
	Research-Based Training
	Closure: Confinement of Communication and Isolation of Support System
	References
Chapter 10: Think Like a Detective: Is There a Change in Behavior?
	Verbal and Nonverbal
		Intuitive and the Investigative Process
	Psychological Autopsy
		Case Study 1
		Case Study 2
	Think Like a Detective
		A Conversation on Suicide
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 11: Prevention: Resilience Building, Training, Education Programs, and Crisis Lines
	Starting from a Positive Perspective
		Recruiting for Resilience
	Common Adversities and Resilience Training
	Innovative Post-Trauma Interventions
		Law Enforcement Officers and HAI
	The Human-Animal Bond
	Post-Traumatic Growth
		Sense of Coherence: What’s Your Time?
	Crisis Lines
	Organizational Resilience
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 12: Theoretical Conceptualization and Action Plan: Contributing Factors and Potential Responses
	Family Safety
	Addressing Firearms
	Domestic Violence Issues
	Substance Use and Abuse
	Murder/Suicide
	Funeral Protocol
	Media and Social Media Regarding Suicide Death
	Pre-Employment Screening and Testing
	Information Extracted and Implemented as Part of the Theoretical Conceptualization
	References
Chapter 13: Police Culture: A Call for Authentic, Courageous Leadership and Wellness Accountability
	Introduction
	Social Isolation and Cynicism
	Toxic Levels of Occupational Stress
	The Stigma Associated with Seeking Help
	A Profound Lack of Trust
	Recommendations
		Building Resiliency and Wellness for Law Enforcement Officers
		Cultivating Mutual Trust and Sharing Within the Organization
	References
Chapter 14: Conclusions and Recommendations, Policy Implications, and Future Research
	Conclusions
	Policy Implications
		What Do We Know and Where Are We Going
	Future Research
	Reducing the Risk
		The Police Organization
		Mental Illness Stigma
		Availability of Suicide Means (Firearms)
	Recommendations
	Closure
	References
Index