Task Force Recommends Training to Prevent Police Suicides

TRENTON – A task force created by Gov. Jon S. Corzine to address concerns over the number of suicides by law enforcement officers Thursday, Feb. 26 recommended improving awareness by officers and supervisors, providing broader access to counseling services, and combating the reluctance of officers to seek help.
“We owe a great deal to these brave men and women, who put themselves in harms way on a regular basis to enable the rest of us and our families to lead safer lives,” Corzine said in a release. “The pressures they experience each day are tremendous. We owe it to them to extend a helping hand if and when they find themselves in an hour of need.”
The report comes five months after Governor Corzine created the Task Force on Police Suicides, following a request by the state Policemen’s Benevolent Association. Nationwide, police suicides have reached unprecedented proportions. There were 55 reported suicides of New Jersey law enforcement officers from 2003 to 2007, which includes police, corrections, and retired and disabled officers. The number of law enforcement suicides exceeds the number of officers killed in the line of duty in the state.
The 14-member task force was charged with developing a strategy to assist law enforcement officials to deal with stress and other mental health issues, and was comprised of representatives of local law enforcement organizations, the state police, mental health professionals, a representative for non-commissioned officers, a representative from the Attorney General’s Office, and organizations for families of fallen officers. Attorney General Anne Milgram and Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez served as co-chairs the task force.
“Police officer suicide is a tragic problem that impacts the officers’ families, the law enforcement community, and all of us,” said Attorney General Milgram. “Law enforcement officers serve with courage and dedication, and we owe them no less than to do all we can to ensure that those officers in need have access to appropriate resources and assistance. I am proud of the work of the Task Force to identify strategies for suicide prevention and I am committed to working with law enforcement and the mental health community to implement the Task Force’s recommendations.”
Recommendations by the Task Force on Police Suicides include:
An increase in suicide prevention training, including new recruits, active officers, and supervisors;
Improving access to and effectiveness of counseling services for officers, including legislation affording confidentiality to peer counselors and additional outreach to retired and disabled officers;
Adopting “best practices” of other law enforcement agencies, such as a comprehensive law enforcement Employee Assistance Program and mandatory counseling following traumatic events.
“This task force was an invaluable opportunity to connect the unique concerns and stressors experienced by the law enforcement community with the expertise of mental health professionals,” said Commissioner Velez. “Our hope is that through the work and recommendations of this task force, we can break down barriers and provide assistance when it’s needed.”
The full report is available online at www.nj.gov/oag/library/njpstf-report.html.