Pulling Back the Curtain: Examining Better Metrics on Law Enforcement Officer Deaths by Suicide

• In Event: Safety and Wellness in Correctional Institutions: Risk Factors and Prevention

Abstract

In late 2023, the CNA corporation began collaborating with the nonprofit organization First H.E.L.P. to examine and analyze the data it has amassed on law enforcement and correctional officer deaths by suicide. First H.E.L.P.’s efforts represent a notable stride toward comprehensively collecting reliable and valid data on this challenging issue, marking one of the most extensive efforts undertaken in this area. This presentation details analyses of the 1,287 deaths by suicide of law enforcement and correctional officers from 2016 to 2022, offering descriptive information categorized by the year of occurrence, agency details, geographic location, demographic attributes, position specifics, help-seeking behaviors, life challenges the person encountered before their death, and details about the death event.

Authors

• Daniel S. Lawrence, CNA Corporation

• Jessica Dockstader, CNA Corporation