| Suicide among law enforcement encompasses more than the taking of the officers' life. It involves any number of social, environmental, and individual factors that officers encounter on a daily basis. Law enforcement officers respond and intervene when they recognize the warning signs of suicide when dealing with the public, yet they are reluctant to intervene when they notice the same symptoms in their colleagues. The goal of this qualitative research study, which employed a phenomenological psychological approach, was to ascertain the perceptions and responses of law enforcement officers (in a predetermined southern state) to the suicidal ideations of professional colleagues. This study was expected to show that while law enforcement officers recognized suicidal ideations they do not perceive their colleagues as being at risk for suicidal tendencies. Results of this study indicate that completed suicide is an issue among law enforcement officers in a predetermined state and that officers may not perceive colleagues as being suicidal. These findings indicate the potential for positive social impact of this study is to preserve the family unit as well as develop necessary intervention programs for law enforcement departments is discussed. |
