102 4 Police and Law Enforcement—Family ForensicsIssues surrounding police suicide are lacking and in need of development. Since
troubled officers often resist seeking help, supervisors should instill the notion that
no officer will suffer economic or promotional consequences. Further, all infor-
mation given to supervisors must remain confidential, and this policy relayed must
be to the officers. In addition, any information given to a supervisor by an officer
should ultimately lead to a referral to a professional source, such as a psycholo-
gist or other counselor (T. E. Baker & Baker, 1996). Also, psychological inter-
ventions should be made available at any time an officer deems necessary. Crisis
counseling specifically for police officers is often nonexistent, causing the offi-
cer to rely on the same resources available to the public. This may leave officers
with a feeling of hesitancy if they believe the treatment will be lengthy or costly.
Therefore, the intervention supplied to officers should be made free by the police
agency.
Arrigo and Garsky (1997) advocate three main policies which may help deter
the officer from engaging in self-mutilation or suicide. The first of these is stress
management and stress-reduction techniques. The authors recommend that a special
class explaining how to cope with anxiety and stressors, in addition to reducing
them, needs to be incorporated into all training programs. The aspects of the course
could include such topics as nutrition and dieting, physical health, fitness, humor,
play, amusement strategies, and others.
In addition to stress management and stress-reduction techniques, group "rap"
or process sessions should be made available to all police officers. This would in-
corporate group sessions emphasizing peer support dealing with issues such as the
death of a partner or the use of deadly force. This training, according to Arrigo and
Garsky (1997), should occur early in the candidate's training and regularly while in
the police force. The intention of this policy is to help demystify the concept of
counseling for the police officers, hopefully leading to more voluntary use of these
services.
Finally, Arrigo and Garsky (1997) advocate police mentoring. While some types
of mentoring within the police force already exist, this type of instruction may not be
governed by a standard of quality. This could lead to negative influences regarding
policing, stress build-up, and possibly even suicidal ideation. Skilled mentoring
could allow for more disciplined officers incorporating a higher degree of respect
for colleagues and others.
Police officers' reluctance in asking for help has already, to some degree, been
discussed. With the promise of confidentiality, absence of ridicule, and no detri-
mental advancement or employment threats, officers should not feel hesitant in
asking for help. Inclusion of even a few of these policies would no doubt make for
a less dangerous, more psychologically (and physically) healthy lifestyle for police
officers. With the opportunity for officers to vent frustrations and use appropri-
ate emotional outlets, better decision making will no dotibt take place, resulting
in more efficient policing techniques and procedures and fewer inappropriate and
dangerously hostile outbursts by officers.