ABSTRACT

Twenty-seven, active-duty experienced police officers and 911 supervisors where surveyed on a variety of issues related to their exposure to, and experience with, suicide. The group consisted of 24 males (mean age = 38) and 3 females (mean age = 35). All were participating in training related to officer response to suicidal persons. In their roles as law enforcement professionals, 24 of 27 officers had had personal contact with 87 suicidal persons within the past 12 months. Other highlights are as follows:

• 23 officers had lost one or more blood relatives (3 officers), one or more friends (26 suicidal deaths) or a citizen/prisoner to suicide in the line of duty (20 deaths).
• 23 officers reported having attempted an intervention with at least one suicidal person (only two had had no opportunity, and two could not recall attempting an intervention).
• The majority of officers rated their comfort level in dealing with suicidal persons as at mid-range “comfortable” and their “competence” as fair to good. Only two officers rated themselves as “excellent” in their competence to deal with suicidal persons.
• 25 officers felt they had “a duty” to help prevent suicide and felt some exposure to legal action if they failed to take reasonable and prudent steps to reduce the risk of a suicide attempt or completion.
• 25 officers thought suicide prevention training “should be required,” and only two thought it “necessary. None thought suicide prevention training was “unnecessary.”
• The median number of hours of suicide prevention training for the group was four (range was 0 to 40+, and inclusive of the 1 and ½ hours of training delivered just prior to the administration of the survey).
• 23 officers requested either 8 or “more than 8” hours of additional training in suicide prevention and intervention tactics.
• The most preferred learning platform was “an in vivo professional seminar.”
• 100% of officers surveyed agreed additional training in suicide risk detection, assessment and referral would be beneficial.
• Only 4 officers were aware of the Surgeon General’s National Strategy and that law enforcement personnel are targeted for suicide prevention training and education.
• 100% of officers agreed with the statement: “Do you believe persons in your profession should be included in the national effort to reduce disability and premature death associated with suicide attempts and completions?”
  
  Lt. Dell Hackett, Retired, LEWA
  Paul Quinnett, Ph.D., QPR Institute

* A free copy of this survey is available on request from the QPR Institute, contact us.