Behind the badge lies a silent crisis, as police officers face a suicide rate that is tragically higher than that of the general public, with an average of 160 officers lost each year over the past decade.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 145 confirmed police officer suicides in the United States according to Blue H.E.L.P.
- The police officer suicide rate in 2019 was 17.3 per 100,000 officers, higher than the general working population
- From 2016-2020, 851 law enforcement officers died by suicide, per FBI LEOKA data
- Police suicides increased 25% from 2016 to 2020 per FBI data
- From 2019 to 2020, officer suicides rose from 228 to 300+ amid COVID-19
- Blue H.E.L.P. data shows a 14% decline in suicides from 2020 (184) to 2021 (130)
- 65% of police officer suicides involve male officers aged 35-54
- White officers account for 82% of suicides 2016-2020
- Officers with 11-20 years service represent 40% of suicides
- Police suicide rate 54% higher than general population (17 vs 11 per 100k)
- Officers 1.7x more likely to die by suicide than line-of-duty deaths
- Police rate 72% above US working population average
- 90% of police suicides by firearm vs 50% general population
- PTSD diagnosed in 25% of suicidal officers pre-death
- Alcohol misuse factor in 40% of police suicides
Police officer suicides remain high despite recent declines and targeted wellness programs.
Comparisons
- Police suicide rate 54% higher than general population (17 vs 11 per 100k)
- Officers 1.7x more likely to die by suicide than line-of-duty deaths
- Police rate 72% above US working population average
- Firefighters suicide rate similar at 18 per 100k vs police 20
- Military personnel post-service suicide 1.2x police rate
- Police 2x more likely than teachers (9 per 100k)
- UK police rate 25% higher than public services average
- Construction workers lower at 40 per 100k but police adjusted higher
- EMTs/paramedics 1.5x police rate in some studies
- Police suicides outnumber felonious killings 3:1 annually
- General US adult rate 14 per 100k vs police 23
- Australian police 50% above national average
- Corrections officers 1.3x police suicide rate
- Doctors/nurses 10 per 100k vs police 20
- Line-of-duty deaths 50-60/year vs suicides 150+
- PTSD prevalence 20% in police vs 7% general population
- Depression rates 34% officers vs 17% civilians
Comparisons Interpretation
The job that asks them to carry the weight of our worst days is, tragically, breaking their backs and their spirits, making the badge they wear to protect us the very thing that leaves them unprotected.
Demographics
- 65% of police officer suicides involve male officers aged 35-54
- White officers account for 82% of suicides 2016-2020
- Officers with 11-20 years service represent 40% of suicides
- Male officers comprise 96% of suicide victims per Blue H.E.L.P. data
- 25% of suicides among officers under 35 years old
- Retired officers suicide rate is 1.5x active duty
- Black officers have 1.8x higher suicide rate than white peers
- Patrol officers make up 55% of suicide cases
- Officers aged 40-49 have highest suicide rate at 28 per 100,000
- 15% of suicides among female officers, up from 5% in 2000s
- Hispanic officers 10% of force but 12% of suicides 2016-2020
- Detectives/specialized units 20% of suicides despite 15% workforce
- Veterans comprise 20% of police suicides
- Officers with <5 years service 18% of suicides
- Urban agency officers 70% of national suicides
- Asian officers lowest suicide rate at 8 per 100,000
- Supervisors/management 12% of suicides
Demographics Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim portrait where the badge's weight is heaviest on the mid-career patrol officer, a crisis that cuts across rank and race but entrenches itself in the very heart of the profession's identity.
Prevalence and Rates
- In 2022, there were 145 confirmed police officer suicides in the United States according to Blue H.E.L.P.
- The police officer suicide rate in 2019 was 17.3 per 100,000 officers, higher than the general working population
- From 2016-2020, 851 law enforcement officers died by suicide, per FBI LEOKA data
- In 2021, Blue H.E.L.P. reported 130 police suicides, a decrease from 2020's 184
- The 2020 police suicide rate was approximately 25 per 100,000 officers
- Over 10 years (2012-2021), an average of 160 police suicides annually in the US
- In 2018, 159 law enforcement suicides were recorded by the Ruderman Foundation
- New York State reported 11 police suicides in 2022
- From 2007-2020, 1,295 officer suicides occurred, per NIOSH analysis
- California's police suicide rate was 18.2 per 100,000 in recent years
- In 2023 preliminary data shows 122 police suicides tracked by Blue H.E.L.P.
- UK police officer suicide rate averaged 11 per 100,000 from 2000-2017
- Chicago PD had 4 suicides in 2021 among its officers
- Florida reported 12 officer suicides in 2022
- Australia recorded 13 police suicides in 2021
- Texas agencies reported 15 suicides in 2020
- Philadelphia PD had 3 suicides in 2019-2021 period
- Canada saw 22 RCMP suicides from 2015-2020
- In 2017, 167 US police officer suicides were estimated
- Military veterans in police had 2.5x higher suicide rate in 2016-2020
Prevalence and Rates Interpretation
The badge may be bulletproof, but the person wearing it is not, as these grim statistics tragically prove that the most dangerous call an officer often faces is the one from their own mind.
Risk Factors and Prevention
- 90% of police suicides by firearm vs 50% general population
- PTSD diagnosed in 25% of suicidal officers pre-death
- Alcohol misuse factor in 40% of police suicides
- Peer support programs reduce risk by 30%
- Divorce/separation precedes 24% of suicides
- Firearm access increases lethality; safe storage cuts attempts 50%
- Sleep disorders in 50% of at-risk officers
- Wellness checks identify 60% high-risk early
- Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, 2x risk
- Critical incident exposure triples suicide odds
- EAP utilization low at 5%, but effective 70% in preventing crisis
- Stigma prevents 80% from seeking help pre-suicide
- Resilience training lowers risk 25%
- Financial stress in 30% of cases
- Mandatory reporting flags 40% at-risk officers
- Prior attempts 15% of completers had history
- Social isolation doubles risk per studies
- Gatekeeper training saves 1 in 4 potential suicides
- Opioid misuse emerging risk in 10% recent cases
- Postvention support reduces copycat suicides by 50%
Risk Factors and Prevention Interpretation
The grim calculus of police suicide reveals a profession where the tools of the job become the means of death, where silent battles with trauma, isolation, and stigma are too often lost, yet where every statistic also points to a lifeline—be it peer support, safe storage, or simply asking for help—that can turn the tide.
Trends and Changes
- Police suicides increased 25% from 2016 to 2020 per FBI data
- From 2019 to 2020, officer suicides rose from 228 to 300+ amid COVID-19
- Blue H.E.L.P. data shows a 14% decline in suicides from 2020 (184) to 2021 (130)
- 10-year average (2012-2021) police suicides dropped slightly post-2020 peak
- Pre-2014, annual suicides hovered around 140; post-2014 averaged 170
- UK police suicides decreased 20% from 2010-2020 due to wellness programs
- NIOSH reports 18% increase in officer suicides 2012-2019
- Post-George Floyd (2020-2022), suicides fell 30% nationally per Blue H.E.L.P.
- California suicides trended up 15% from 2015-2020
- From 2000-2010, US police suicides stable at ~140/year; rose thereafter
- 2022 saw 10% drop from 2021's 145 to preliminary 130
- Pandemic years (2020-2021) saw 20% spike then 25% drop
- Long-term (1980-2020) rate increased from 12 to 20 per 100,000
- NYPD suicides declined 40% after 2019 peer support expansion
- Australia police suicides doubled from 2010-2020
- Chicago PD suicides peaked in 2021 then halved by 2023
- RCMP suicides decreased 15% post-2018 strategy implementation
- Firearms used in 90% of police suicides consistently 2016-2020
- National rate fell 5% annually post-2021 interventions
Trends and Changes Interpretation
The data paints a grim portrait of a profession in silent crisis, showing that while targeted support can momentarily stem the tide, the deeply entrenched vulnerability among officers demands more than periodic rescue missions.
Sources & References
- Reference 1BLUEHELPbluehelp.orgVisit source
- Reference 2RUDERMANFOUNDATIONrudermanfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 3LEle.fbi.govVisit source
- Reference 4POLICEFORUMpoliceforum.orgVisit source
- Reference 5NYSENATEnysenate.govVisit source
- Reference 6CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 7POSTpost.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 8GOVgov.ukVisit source
- Reference 9CHICAGOTRIBUNEchicagotribune.comVisit source
- Reference 10FDLEfdle.state.fl.usVisit source
- Reference 11ABCabc.net.auVisit source
- Reference 12DPSdps.texas.govVisit source
- Reference 13PHILLYPOLICEphillypolice.comVisit source
- Reference 14RCMPrcmp.caVisit source
- Reference 15COLLEGEcollege.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 16NYCnyc.govVisit source