Police officer suicide rates impacting local PNW law enforcement agencies

A recent report by First HELP and CNA Corporation reveals that 184 law enforcement officers die by suicide annually across the United States. The issue has significantly impacted 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 faced the tragic loss of two officers to suicide in the past two years. Former Police Chief Jeff Mori retired last week after two years in the role, telling the Columbian newspaper he had lost the drive to lead. However, he also hopes his retirement serves as a reminder to prioritize mental health for officers.

"Most people see between one and three critical incidents in a lifetime, right? Officers will see three to five in a day," said Erica Nilsen, Assistant Chief of Vancouver Police. "Nationwide we’ve seen what police work can do to somebody over a 30-year career.”

Nilsen emphasized the high risk of suicide, heart disease, and early death among law enforcement officers. "Not just the calls you go on, but shift work, not seeing your family, changing days off, court on your days off. Like the job itself is sometimes stressful just to work in," she said.

Nilsen, who oversees the agency’s mental health program, highlighted initiatives such as having a part-time mental health practitioner available for officers. "He goes on ride-alongs, he goes to briefings, he does just time in-house for people to be able to talk to him, ask about resources, find out things that they can do if they’re struggling with calls," she said about the role.

When asked about future improvements, Nilsen stated, "I don’t think it’s different. I think it’s more, right? So, one of the things that has been implemented since I came here a little over a year ago is that we have on-duty workout time now. So people have the ability to go to the gym and do workouts, or during that wellness time they can talk to[the pracicioner] and have mental health counseling sessions

The Vancouver Police Department also plans to introduce a comfort dog and has secured a grant for heart health testing.

Nationwide, the death toll of all first responders remains high, with 2019 recording 255 suicides.

Reflecting on her 31 years at 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 at a career no longer handcuffed by struggles.

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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: October 15, 2024, 3:03 am.

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