The gun cleaning kit would be placed out near the weapon so that it would appear that the gun had discharged while the officer was cleaning his or her weapon. Again, this action may be viewed as admirable and noble by some police officers, it still creates a problem. Researchers and police administrators are left trying to figure out how to combat the issue of police suicide. This becomes extremely difficult when it cannot even be classified as a suicide. Misclassification of police suicide allows the deceased officer protection from the often unforgiving press, allows the deceased officer to receive police burial honors without disgrace, and allows the surviving family members to receive insurance and benefits.
Police officers tend to stick together with other officers.
They have relatively few friends outside the realm of the police family. This can place tremendous strains on officers and their families. Police stress and suicide has become a topic of major concern and focus in the last few years. Across the country in the last few years, police agencies and municipalities have been clambering to initiate and implement some form of police mental health services for their officers. However, while larger urban departments can provide financial backing and manpower to its stress units, many smaller departments struggle to find ways to provide services.