Police Suicide ─ Risk Factors and Intervention Measures

This text makes a primary and informed contribution to a subject that is under-researched in the U.K.—the suicide of those who work in the U.K. police service— by offering an analysis of U.K. case studies of officers and staff who either have completed suicide or experienced suicide ideation, and referring to the likely prime suicide precipitators of these situations. This analysis is followed by an examination of literature that discusses general and police-specific suicide. The text then examines intervention measures and support mechanisms that are currently offered to those working in the police service, as well as other measures that might be introduced in the future. Designed for criminal justice professionals and affected laypeople, including the families of those in police service, Police Suicide is a crucial text for any who have an interest in the holistic and psychological welfare of police officers and staff.

Richard Armitage, Ph.D., attended King’s College London in from 1969 to 1972, after which he was awarded the academic qualification Associate of King’s College. In 1974 he was ordained priest in the Church of England. He served as a voluntary police chaplain with West Mercia Police for many years, and has been Senior Chaplain to Wiltshire Police (UK) since 2005. He gained a Ph.D. from Birmingham University in 2007. He has been awarded a research grant by the Home Office Police Research Group Award Scheme. His works include Police Chaplaincy—Servant to the Service and the published thesis Issues of religious diversity affecting ethnic minority personnel in the workplace. Armitage has been invited to speak at various conferences and to advise on the development of chaplaincy to the police at both regional and local levels.