Suicide and the police role: A psychosocial model

Previous models apply general social and psychological theory to police suicide. Presents a specific psychosocial model which attempts to clarify the impact of the police role on the potential for suicide. The model is based on the premiss that socialization processes strongly influence officers to adopt the police role as a principal mode for dealing with psychological strain. This process likely involves a complex interaction of the individual, police organization, social relationships, and society. Dominant use or perhaps overlearning of the police role constricts cognitive coping style and impacts the use of other roles to deal with life strain. As a result, the potential for suicide may increase. Discusses suggestions for the prevention of police suicide.