GITNUXREPORT 2025

Law Enforcement Suicide Statistics

Law enforcement suicide rates rise, worsened by stigma, depression, trauma, and stress.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Peer support programs have been shown to reduce stigma and help officers seek mental health care, but implementation remains inconsistent across departments

Statistic 2

Mental health training for law enforcement officers is associated with reduced stigma and increased help-seeking behavior, yet many departments lack adequate training programs

Statistic 3

The implementation of crisis intervention teams (CIT) has been linked to lower suicide rates among officers, by providing better mental health response tools

Statistic 4

Training programs that include stress management and resilience-building techniques are associated with a decrease in suicidal ideation, but adoption remains low in many law enforcement agencies

Statistic 5

Officers who experience social isolation and lack support networks are at increased risk for suicidal ideation and behavior, highlighting the need for community programs

Statistic 6

Mandatory mental health screenings for law enforcement officers are shown to improve early detection of mental health issues, potentially preventing suicide

Statistic 7

Family and peer support after critical incidents can significantly mitigate the risk of suicidal behavior among officers, but programs are not universally adopted

Statistic 8

The use of confidential helplines and online counseling services has increased among police officers, providing accessible support options, although utilization remains limited

Statistic 9

Training in crisis de-escalation has been associated with decreased use of force incidents and may also contribute to lowering trauma-related suicide risk

Statistic 10

Some law enforcement agencies have implemented suicide prevention policies that include mandatory leave and follow-up for officers involved in critical incidents, showing promising results

Statistic 11

Approximately 140 law enforcement officers die by suicide each year in the United States

Statistic 12

Law enforcement officers are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty

Statistic 13

The suicide rate among police officers is estimated to be 17 per 100,000, compared to about 14 per 100,000 in the general population

Statistic 14

The leading causes of suicide among law enforcement are relationship problems, occupational stress, and psychiatric disorders

Statistic 15

Suicide among law enforcement officers has been increasing over the past two decades, with some studies showing a 30% rise since 2000

Statistic 16

Male officers are more likely to die by suicide than female officers, accounting for approximately 90% of law enforcement suicides

Statistic 17

The average age of law enforcement officers who die by suicide is between 40 and 50 years old, indicating middle-aged officers are at higher risk

Statistic 18

Police officers with a history of childhood trauma or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at higher risk for suicidal behavior, similar to the general population

Statistic 19

Police suicides tend to peak during the months of May and September, correlating with high-stress periods or organizational changes

Statistic 20

The use of lethal force or police shootings has been associated with increased suicide risk among officers involved in such incidents, possibly due to trauma and guilt

Statistic 21

The rate of suicide among law enforcement officers is approximately double that of firefighters, highlighting the unique occupational risks

Statistic 22

Firearms are the most common means of suicide among law enforcement officers, accounting for over 80% of cases, underscoring access as a risk factor

Statistic 23

Suicide rates among law enforcement are highest among officers with 10 to 19 years of service, indicating mid-career challenges

Statistic 24

The overall cost of law enforcement suicides includes lost productivity, mental health treatment, legal and administrative expenses, estimated in the billions annually

Statistic 25

Suicide among law enforcement officers is often underreported due to stigma and classification issues, leading to an underestimate of the true scope

Statistic 26

A survey found that nearly 60% of law enforcement officers reported experiencing symptoms of major depression

Statistic 27

Less than 10% of officers who contemplate suicide seek help

Statistic 28

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 15-30% of law enforcement officers, which increases suicide risk

Statistic 29

A majority of officers who die by suicide have a history of mental health issues prior to their death

Statistic 30

Shift work and long hours increase the risk of depression and suicidal ideation among officers

Statistic 31

Substance abuse, particularly alcohol, is a significant risk factor associated with law enforcement suicides, with estimates that up to 25% of officers struggling with substance misuse

Statistic 32

Cumulative exposure to critical incidents increases the likelihood of suicidal thoughts among officers, with some studies suggesting a dose-response relationship

Statistic 33

Approximately 50% of police suicides are preceded by a crisis or warning signs, but many go unnoticed or unaddressed

Statistic 34

Family history of mental illness or suicide increases risk for law enforcement officers, similar to trends observed in the general population

Statistic 35

Law enforcement officers working in rural areas face higher suicide rates than their urban counterparts, likely due to isolation and lack of mental health resources

Statistic 36

Suicide Prevention Lifeline data show that calls from law enforcement personnel have increased by over 25% during the past five years, indicating rising mental health crisis awareness

Statistic 37

Law enforcement officers reporting higher levels of perceived stress are twice as likely to contemplate suicide, emphasizing the importance of stress reduction programs

Statistic 38

The availability of mental health resources on-site at police departments reduces barriers to care and correlates with lower suicide rates, according to some studies

Statistic 39

The psychological impact of exposure to child abuse or domestic violence during service increases firefighter and law enforcement officers’ risk for suicide, aligning with findings in trauma literature

Statistic 40

Police officers are less likely to seek mental health services compared to other first responders, due to stigma and career concerns

Statistic 41

Small-to-midsize departments report significantly higher suicide rates than larger agencies, possibly due to less access to mental health resources

Statistic 42

The stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement is a primary barrier to help-seeking, with over 70% of officers fearing career repercussions

Statistic 43

Higher rank officers tend to have a lower suicide risk compared to lower-ranking officers, possibly due to higher job security and resources

Statistic 44

Mental health stigma is particularly strong among male officers, with over 75% fearing negative career evaluation if they seek help, reducing help-seeking behavior

Statistic 45

Higher levels of organizational cohesion and support are linked to reduced suicidal ideation in law enforcement personnel, underscoring the importance of leadership in mental health promotion

Slide 1 of 45

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 140 law enforcement officers die by suicide each year in the United States
Law enforcement officers are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty
The suicide rate among police officers is estimated to be 17 per 100,000, compared to about 14 per 100,000 in the general population
A survey found that nearly 60% of law enforcement officers reported experiencing symptoms of major depression
Less than 10% of officers who contemplate suicide seek help
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 15-30% of law enforcement officers, which increases suicide risk
The leading causes of suicide among law enforcement are relationship problems, occupational stress, and psychiatric disorders
A majority of officers who die by suicide have a history of mental health issues prior to their death
Suicide among law enforcement officers has been increasing over the past two decades, with some studies showing a 30% rise since 2000
Police officers are less likely to seek mental health services compared to other first responders, due to stigma and career concerns
Male officers are more likely to die by suicide than female officers, accounting for approximately 90% of law enforcement suicides
Small-to-midsize departments report significantly higher suicide rates than larger agencies, possibly due to less access to mental health resources
The average age of law enforcement officers who die by suicide is between 40 and 50 years old, indicating middle-aged officers are at higher risk

Every year, approximately 140 law enforcement officers in the United States die by suicide—an alarming statistic that reveals how mental health crises, stigma, and occupational stress secretly threaten those sworn to protect us, often remaining unseen until it’s too late.

Interventions, Support Programs, and Training

Peer support programs have been shown to reduce stigma and help officers seek mental health care, but implementation remains inconsistent across departments
Mental health training for law enforcement officers is associated with reduced stigma and increased help-seeking behavior, yet many departments lack adequate training programs
The implementation of crisis intervention teams (CIT) has been linked to lower suicide rates among officers, by providing better mental health response tools
Training programs that include stress management and resilience-building techniques are associated with a decrease in suicidal ideation, but adoption remains low in many law enforcement agencies
Officers who experience social isolation and lack support networks are at increased risk for suicidal ideation and behavior, highlighting the need for community programs
Mandatory mental health screenings for law enforcement officers are shown to improve early detection of mental health issues, potentially preventing suicide
Family and peer support after critical incidents can significantly mitigate the risk of suicidal behavior among officers, but programs are not universally adopted
The use of confidential helplines and online counseling services has increased among police officers, providing accessible support options, although utilization remains limited
Training in crisis de-escalation has been associated with decreased use of force incidents and may also contribute to lowering trauma-related suicide risk
Some law enforcement agencies have implemented suicide prevention policies that include mandatory leave and follow-up for officers involved in critical incidents, showing promising results

Interventions, Support Programs, and Training Interpretation

While targeted interventions like peer support, mental health training, and crisis response teams demonstrate clear potential to reduce law enforcement suicides, their inconsistent implementation and low adoption rates underscore that, despite having the tools to save lives, many departments remain unarmed in their fight against officer mental health crises.

Law Enforcement Morbidity and Mortality

Approximately 140 law enforcement officers die by suicide each year in the United States
Law enforcement officers are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty
The suicide rate among police officers is estimated to be 17 per 100,000, compared to about 14 per 100,000 in the general population
The leading causes of suicide among law enforcement are relationship problems, occupational stress, and psychiatric disorders
Suicide among law enforcement officers has been increasing over the past two decades, with some studies showing a 30% rise since 2000
Male officers are more likely to die by suicide than female officers, accounting for approximately 90% of law enforcement suicides
The average age of law enforcement officers who die by suicide is between 40 and 50 years old, indicating middle-aged officers are at higher risk
Police officers with a history of childhood trauma or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at higher risk for suicidal behavior, similar to the general population
Police suicides tend to peak during the months of May and September, correlating with high-stress periods or organizational changes
The use of lethal force or police shootings has been associated with increased suicide risk among officers involved in such incidents, possibly due to trauma and guilt
The rate of suicide among law enforcement officers is approximately double that of firefighters, highlighting the unique occupational risks
Firearms are the most common means of suicide among law enforcement officers, accounting for over 80% of cases, underscoring access as a risk factor
Suicide rates among law enforcement are highest among officers with 10 to 19 years of service, indicating mid-career challenges
The overall cost of law enforcement suicides includes lost productivity, mental health treatment, legal and administrative expenses, estimated in the billions annually
Suicide among law enforcement officers is often underreported due to stigma and classification issues, leading to an underestimate of the true scope

Law Enforcement Morbidity and Mortality Interpretation

Despite donning the badge to serve and protect, law enforcement officers face a silent epidemic where over 140 lives are lost annually to suicide—highlighting that beneath the uniform, mental health is an urgent crisis that demands as much attention as crime fighting.

Mental Health Challenges and Risks

A survey found that nearly 60% of law enforcement officers reported experiencing symptoms of major depression
Less than 10% of officers who contemplate suicide seek help
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 15-30% of law enforcement officers, which increases suicide risk
A majority of officers who die by suicide have a history of mental health issues prior to their death
Shift work and long hours increase the risk of depression and suicidal ideation among officers
Substance abuse, particularly alcohol, is a significant risk factor associated with law enforcement suicides, with estimates that up to 25% of officers struggling with substance misuse
Cumulative exposure to critical incidents increases the likelihood of suicidal thoughts among officers, with some studies suggesting a dose-response relationship
Approximately 50% of police suicides are preceded by a crisis or warning signs, but many go unnoticed or unaddressed
Family history of mental illness or suicide increases risk for law enforcement officers, similar to trends observed in the general population
Law enforcement officers working in rural areas face higher suicide rates than their urban counterparts, likely due to isolation and lack of mental health resources
Suicide Prevention Lifeline data show that calls from law enforcement personnel have increased by over 25% during the past five years, indicating rising mental health crisis awareness
Law enforcement officers reporting higher levels of perceived stress are twice as likely to contemplate suicide, emphasizing the importance of stress reduction programs
The availability of mental health resources on-site at police departments reduces barriers to care and correlates with lower suicide rates, according to some studies
The psychological impact of exposure to child abuse or domestic violence during service increases firefighter and law enforcement officers’ risk for suicide, aligning with findings in trauma literature

Mental Health Challenges and Risks Interpretation

Despite battling crime on the streets, nearly 60% of law enforcement officers grapple with depression, yet less than 10% seek help, highlighting a tragic paradox where exposure to trauma and stress fuels a silent crisis that demands urgent institutional and societal response.

Sociocultural Factors and Organizational Impact

Police officers are less likely to seek mental health services compared to other first responders, due to stigma and career concerns
Small-to-midsize departments report significantly higher suicide rates than larger agencies, possibly due to less access to mental health resources
The stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement is a primary barrier to help-seeking, with over 70% of officers fearing career repercussions
Higher rank officers tend to have a lower suicide risk compared to lower-ranking officers, possibly due to higher job security and resources
Mental health stigma is particularly strong among male officers, with over 75% fearing negative career evaluation if they seek help, reducing help-seeking behavior
Higher levels of organizational cohesion and support are linked to reduced suicidal ideation in law enforcement personnel, underscoring the importance of leadership in mental health promotion

Sociocultural Factors and Organizational Impact Interpretation

Despite the badge's authority, many officers remain prisoners of stigma—particularly in smaller departments and among male officers—highlighting that mental health support in law enforcement requires not just resources, but a culture where seeking help isn't a career killer.