Police officer suicide rates impact law enforcement agencies in PNW

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A recent report from a first responder-focused nonprofit organization sheds light on the impact of suicide among law enforcement members in the US.

The research from First Help, an organization founded to destigmatize the mental health of first responders, in partnership with CNA Corporation, found that 184 law enforcement officers die by suicide each year in the United States. The issue has had significant impacts on agencies in Oregon and Washington, with six officers in Oregon and 12 in Washington dying by suicide since 2016.

At the Vancouver Police East Precinct, the department has dealt with the tragic loss of two officers to suicide over the past two years. Former police chief Jeff Mori retired last week after two years, telling local newspaper The Columbian that he had lost the drive to lead. However, he also hopes his retirement will be a reminder to prioritize officers’ mental health.

Most people experience one to three critical incidents in their lives, right? Officers will see three to five a day,” said Erica Nilsen, assistant chief of the Vancouver Police Department. ‘Nationally we have seen what police work can do to someone over a thirty-year career.

Nilsen highlighted the high risk of suicide, heart disease and early death among law enforcement officers. “Not just the phone calls you make, but shifts, not seeing your family, changing days off, doing justice on your days off. Just like the job itself can sometimes be stressful to work in,” she said .

The assistant chief, who oversees the agency’s mental health program, highlighted initiatives such as making a part-time mental health doctor available to officers.

He goes on rides, he goes to briefings, he just does some time around the house so people can talk to him, ask about resources, find out things they can do if they’re having trouble making calls,” she said. said about the role.

When asked about future improvements, Nilsen said, “I don’t think it’s different. I think it’s more, right? One of the things that’s been implemented since I came here a little over a year ago is that we a – now workout time. So people have the option to go to the gym and workout, or during that wellness time they can talk to (the practitioner) and have mental health counseling sessions.

Vancouver police also plan to introduce a comfort dog and have received a grant for heart health testing.

Nationally, the death toll of all first responders remains high: 255 suicides were registered in 2019.

Reflecting on her 31 years with the Portland Police Bureau, where she initiated a mental health and resiliency program, Nilsen expressed hope for change and that her officers can look back on a career no longer shackled by struggle.

“I looked at the toll that 31 years at the Portland Police Bureau took on my father and the struggles that he and his friends and the people I grew up with had. We don’t have to let this career be destroyed,” she said. .