"Suicide by Cop" (SBC) is a method of suicide in which a person engages in actual or apparent danger to others in an attempt to get oneself killed or injured by law enforcement officers.
A new study in the Journal of Forensic Sciences examined the prevalence of this phenomenon among a large sample of officer-involved shootings. Results show that SBC occurs at extremely high rates, with 36 percent of all police shootings of suspects being categorized as SBC.
These findings confirm the growing incidence of this method of suicide. More than 200 police officers from across the state of Illinois will be in attendance to learn more on the signs and symptoms behind this disturbing trend.
Linda Lewaniak, LCSW, on staff at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital -- a leading expert on the topic -- will be joined by representatives from over 40 police departments statewide, including deputy and police chiefs and a special panel of clinicians specializing in the treatment and diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disability.
Police officers reacting to the aftermath of "suicide by cop" will often display symptoms of post-traumatic stress which can potentially affect their ability to perform their duties.
Police officers are also victims in these cases. Among the many symptoms reported are hyper vigilance, fear, anger, sleeplessness, recurrent nightmares and depression. In many instances, the timing, speed at which the encounter escalated and officer's perception of immediate danger to self or others left him or her with no choice but to use deadly force.
The conference is aimed at helping police officers recognize these symptoms and provide resources for treatment and there are hope more states will address this disturbing trend.
SUICIDE BY COP PSYCHOLOGICAL INDICATORS
Dr. Barry Perrou, a noted psychologist and founder of the Public Safety Research Institute, is a leading expert on the suicide by cop phenomenon.
Recently, Dr. Perrou provided a list of SBC indicators to PoliceOne.com's Scott Buhrmaster.
Dr. Perrou's 15 indicators are:
The subject is barricaded and refuses to negotiate.
The subject has just killed someone, particularly a close relative, his mother, wife or child.
The subject says that he has a life-threatening illness.
The subject's demands of police do not include negotiations for escape or freedom.
The subject has undergone one or more traumatic life changes (death of a loved one, divorce, financial devastation, etc.)
Prior to the encounter, the subject has given away all of his money or possessions.
The subject has a record of assaults.
Subject says he will only surrender to the person in charge.
Subject indicates that he has thought about planning his death.
Has expressed an interest in wanting to die in a "macho" way.
Has expressed interest in "going out in a big way."
Subject expresses feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.
Subject dictates his will to negotiators.
Subject demands to be killed.
Subject sets a deadline to be killed.
Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he's the former editor for the House Conservatives Fund's weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.
He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com. He's also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.
To subscribe to Kouri's newsletter write to COPmagazine@aol.com and write "Subscription" on the subject line.
![Thirty-six percent of police shootings have been classified as "Suicide by Cop."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/3e/6e/3e6e915c7cec1d0bc7f8a46d001cfd7a.jpg "Thirty-six percent of police shootings have been classified as "Suicide by Cop."")
Comments
Has anyone done a study on this SBC being a pat excuse by the police? I know it is, at least in Neenah Wisconsin. I had an allergic reaction to medication I took for the first time. I cut my forearms while wacked-out on the meds. When the meds wore off, I followed the instructions given by the officer, stood where I was told to stand, and shot by the police. They claimed this BS SBC excuse. I wanted to go to the hospital because of what I realized had happened. This has happened more than once in this city. Others that have attempted suicide and changed thier minds have been killed by the police. I have been turned down for Grand Juries trying to bring this to the attention of someone that would have the balls to correct this BS excuse.
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