NCJ Number
191870
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 68 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2001 Pages: 89-91,93
Date Published
October 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses identification, intervention, and investigation of police-assisted suicide.
Abstract
A phenomenon that has emerged on the front line of police work is victim-precipitated homicide, more commonly known as police-assisted suicide, or suicide by cop. In such an incident, an individual engages in behavior that poses an apparent risk of serious injury or death to others, with the intent of precipitating the use of deadly force by law enforcement personnel. The article explores law enforcement's increased self-examination, risk management, and civil liability mitigation and identifies what a department can do to protect itself against possible consequences of suicide by cop. A thorough investigation that provides data to support the fact that the precipitator was suicidal and contributed to circumstances that resulted in his or her death at the hands of the officer may significantly reduce both the officer's and department's vulnerability to a wrongful death lawsuit. In addition, such data may assist victim officers in dealing with the tremendously stressful and potentially traumatic effect of participation in an officer-involved use of deadly force.