Police Suicide

[K9 Police]

I give all credit to Greenlead, thanks for posting the link.

Very moving, take a look around...

www.tearsofacop.com

K9

[metallicat]

It is an incredibly moving website. I have read a few stories, and they are tough to read.

[K9 Police]

"Did you know that research indicates 1/3 of active-duty and retired officers suffer from post traumatic stress, and most don't even realize it?"

From www.tearsofacop.com

K9

[sgtbear111]

Agree. Thanks Greenlead.
r

[oscarmitre]

When I was an honorary official with our Association we started a campaign on stress and ptsd in 1983. It wasn't surprising when the employer dumped on us and denied the existence of stress and ptsd but when some of our members turned on us it was an eye-opener. Thankfully we've come a long way since then.

[P01IC3M4N]

pathetic if you ask me. most selfish thing you can do. sorry, no sympathy with me for suicides.

[Somebody]

I am a bit split on the suicide thing. I used to feel very strongly about it, and how people who kill themselves deserve no sympathy. More and more, however, I see that there are not many options for some people,and that depression is a very serious illness. There is more to it then someone trying to escape responsibility, much more. I find it hard to believe that officers with upstanding backgrounds, families, and a history of doing great work decide one day on a whim to kill themselves.

[Dayna36]

I can't believe that they are killing themselves on a "whim". Post traumatic stress disorder is a real condition which needs to be treated by professionals. The problem that I see from reading some of the stories seems to be that the officers affected are reluctant to seek help due to fear of exposing what others might judge as weaknesses and that there is inadequate confidential help. The notion that "real men" can handle their own problems and needs to be put to rest, especially with such a complex disorder. It is a shame that police officers are expected to decide in a split second whether or not to shot and kill an armed person and if they do, then they must deal with the emotional fallout all alone. Police departments everywhere must provide adequate, confidential professional help for their members suffering from any stress related illnesses. They owe this to themselves and to the families of those employed as police officers.

[Zendik]

No sympathy for suicide here. I've seen it, had to clean it up. It's the losers way out.

[metallicat]

No sympathy for suicide here. I've seen it, had to clean it up. It's the losers way out.

It's about treating the problems that lead to the suicide. Maybe if departments had better support systems in place for cops who deal with stressful situations on a daily basis, some of these can be eradicated.

[Zendik]

I don't think suicide is exculsive to LE and needs to be treated globally. Maybe if society as a whole had better support systems for everyone to deal with stress and depression others wouldn't have to see people hanging in there garages or have friends that had clean up brain matter in their yards.

[Lfpdlieu302]

hmm, interesting site. i'm kinda torn on the subject. i guess i can kinda see both sides. i dont think they should really be placed on the same pedastal as an officer who died in the line of duty, but, i understand why some do it. i feel more for the families of the tragedy.

[K9Cop]

Granted, suicide is not exclusive to Law Enforcement - it is a tragedy and loss for everyone that is touched by its aftermath. The person who has already committed the act needs no sympathy - the family and friends who have to live with end results and the "what if's" and "why's" will always have my sympathies. Whether it is a teenager or a Police Officer who commits suicide - we as a society have lost and failed that person. Almost all PD's, at least in my area, provide counseling when an officer is involved in a shooting incident - very few provide the same to officers who consistently have to witness the other unspeakable horrors that our so called civilized society inflicts upon each other. I remember seeing public service announcements on the "signs" of depression and suicide - now the only time I see them is when there is a rash of teenage suicides. The general public needs to be made aware of these "signs".

I won't sit in judgement of someone who commits the act, because I won't pretend to understand the mental/physical pain that they must have (if nothing else but in their own mind) been feeling to place their head in a noose and step off, or place a gun to their head and fire or however they choose to end their life - with intervention they might have seen the light at the end of the tunnel - without it, they could see nothing but more pain. It's just a great loss and sooooooooo sad..............

[Lfpdlieu302]

Granted, suicide is not exclusive to Law Enforcement - it is a tragedy and loss for everyone that is touched by its aftermath. The person who has already committed the act needs no sympathy - the family and friends who have to live with end results and the "what if's" and "why's" will always have my sympathies. Whether it is a teenager or a Police Officer who commits suicide - we as a society have lost and failed that person. Almost all PD's, at least in my area, provide counseling when an officer is involved in a shooting incident - very few provide the same to officers who consistently have to witness the other unspeakable horrors that our so called civilized society inflicts upon each other. I remember seeing public service announcements on the "signs" of depression and suicide - now the only time I see them is when there is a rash of teenage suicides. The general public needs to be made aware of these "signs".

I won't sit in judgement of someone who commits the act, because I won't pretend to understand the mental/physical pain that they must have (if nothing else but in their own mind) been feeling to place their head in a noose and step off, or place a gun to their head and fire or however they choose to end their life - with intervention they might have seen the light at the end of the tunnel - without it, they could see nothing but more pain. It's just a great loss and sooooooooo sad..............

ehhhhh, i'm not so sure that i would say that we as society have "failed" if somone takes their own life.

[K9Cop]

Sorry, guess I generalized to much there or did not present my chain of thought like I intended - we lost a person that might have been the one who found the cure for cancer, been the next president or touched someone elses life in a positive way. As for failing - I meant along the lines of failing to educate the general public on the "signs" that I mentioned, providing mental health care without the stigma that usually goes along with seeking such help or the cost etc.