http://www.aaets.org/article87.htm
officers involved in shootings suffer moderate or severe
problems and about 70 percent leave the force within seven years of the incident. Police are
admitted to hospitals at significantly higher rates than the general population and rank third
among occupations in premature death rates (Sewell et al, 1988). Interestingly, however, despite
the popular notion of rampantly disturbed police marriages, there is no evidence for a
disproportionately high divorce rate among officers (Borum & Philpot, 1993).
Perhaps the most tragic form of police casualty is suicide (Cummings, 1996; Hays, 1994;
McCafferty et al, 1992; Seligman et al, 1994). Twice as many officers, about 300 annually, die by
their own hand as are killed in the line of duty. In New York City, the suicide rate for police
officers is more than double the rate for the general population. In fact, these totals may actually
be even higher, since such deaths are sometimes underreported by fellow cops to avoid
stigmatizing the deceased officers and to allow families to collect benefits. Most suicide victims
are young patrol officers with no record of misconduct, and most shoot themselves off-duty.
Often, problems involving alcohol or romantic crises are the catalyst, and easy access to a lethal
weapon provides the ready means. Cops under stress are caught in the dilemma of risking
confiscation of their guns or other career setbacks if they report distress or request help.
officers involved in shootings suffer moderate or severe
problems and about 70 percent leave the force within seven years of the incident. Police are
admitted to hospitals at significantly higher rates than the general population and rank third
among occupations in premature death rates (Sewell et al, 1988). Interestingly, however, despite
the popular notion of rampantly disturbed police marriages, there is no evidence for a
disproportionately high divorce rate among officers (Borum & Philpot, 1993).
Perhaps the most tragic form of police casualty is suicide (Cummings, 1996; Hays, 1994;
McCafferty et al, 1992; Seligman et al, 1994). Twice as many officers, about 300 annually, die by
their own hand as are killed in the line of duty. In New York City, the suicide rate for police
officers is more than double the rate for the general population. In fact, these totals may actually
be even higher, since such deaths are sometimes underreported by fellow cops to avoid
stigmatizing the deceased officers and to allow families to collect benefits. Most suicide victims
are young patrol officers with no record of misconduct, and most shoot themselves off-duty.
Often, problems involving alcohol or romantic crises are the catalyst, and easy access to a lethal
weapon provides the ready means. Cops under stress are caught in the dilemma of risking
confiscation of their guns or other career setbacks if they report distress or request help.
