Police Suicides Influence On Law Enforcement

Many things influence the public opinion of law enforcement including; job approval, officer demeanor, media, and the public 's contact with officers. The approval of the community is what gives officers their right to protect and serve them. Although some officers may not be upright and honorable people, many are forthright and honorable. When the media portrays officers of the law in any way, people in any community will assume that is what the law enforcement in their community is like even if the media took footage out of context and skewed the view. In today 's society everyone hates the police when they 're in trouble but they scrutinize officers when they are in need and the officer is not there at a moment 's notice The public 's opinion puts excessive pressure on the already stressed officers which causes depression and suicides. Unnecessary stress builds on officers that can be avoided when the public understands the risks in their line of work. Suicides not only affect the person who has taken their life, but they affect their community. In an annual study of nation police suicides, dad found that, "by 2008 police suicides were at 141 in one year. In 2009 there were 143 police suicides; in 2012 police suicides rates only dropped by 17, to 126" (Clark). It can plainly be seen that the efforts currently being used to prevent police …show more content…
People think many cops are corrupt, and/or don 't take responsibility when they are the one doing something wrong. Everyday an officer goes to work they are putting their life on the line. An officer can be called to a break in and be shot. As of 2014, there are around 300 police suicides a year (Clark). In towns where the police are trusted, officers catch criminals faster and the public feels safer knowing that they can trust their law enforcement