America’s Law Enforcement Suicide Crisis: Issues and Response

Aside from the agonizing law enforcement deaths by suicide nationally, the NYPD has its share of heartbreak.

During the last few months alone, since my appointment as NYPD Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker, there have been numerous NYPD suicides.

A Renewed Commitment

Recently, two days before Christmas, NYPD Sgt. Ivan Rodriquez died by suicide.  His passing again reminds us of the reality of the law enforcement suicide crisis.

In Sgt. Ivan Rodriquez's name, and in prayerful remembrance of all whom have died by suicide, our leadership, vigilance, and collaboration requires a renewed commitment.

Every life is sacred. Let us renew our determination to ethical leadership, strengthening morale, and emotional resilience; all critical interdependent pillars of suicide prevention.

Death by Suicide Response

As a response to the loss of Sgt. Rodriguez, I authored a document on Christmas Eve to key NYPD officials involved with suicide and prevention.

It is memorialized here, to inspire increased support for all who protect and serve our communities, not only in the NYPD, but with law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The NYPD is America’s most renowned and largest police department.  The eyes of not only the nation, but the world are upon them.

May these tragedies renew our resolve to safeguard the sentinels of our communities.

“Law enforcement officers are highly trained and provided the tools necessary to effectively keep their communities safe from crime and violence. 

“It is critically important that those tools include the proactive and ongoing delivery of mental health and wellness assistance.

"These services protect them from both the acute and cumulative stresses associated with our profession.”

Keith M. Corlett, New York State Police Superintendent, (ret.)

Christmas Eve NYPD Communication

"It has been my honor to complement your dedication to health and wellness over the last three months, and be assured of my continued dedication.

"Since last night’s death by suicide tragedy, I have received many communications. 

"These are from individuals whom I have been privileged to meet during my NYPD presentations, and numerous law enforcement officials who follow my work.

"As you can imagine, many are concerned with issues of leadership, morale, resiliency, and suicide that are tragically prevalent throughout society.

"These concerns amplify with the emotionally sensitive holiday season, and the ongoing challenges to law enforcement.  

"Yet, I remain hopeful and confident that our ongoing collaboration will favorably address the crisis.

"To that end, I share these reflections so that we may continue our dedication to safeguarding the NYPD, and most effectively protect the department.

2025 Action Plan

"Since there will be an upcoming 2025 Action Plan meeting with NYPD officials and myself, perhaps these points can be included in our planning.

"It is my humble opinion that evaluating these issues will enable us to most effectively serve:

Are there protocols, procedure, policies, or guidelines in place that are set in motion upon a department death by suicide?

Is there a policy in place where a statement is released from the highest level of the NYPD as a response to a tragedy?

Are there chaplain, and executive level visits to next of kin, and ongoing follow up?

Are grief counselors assigned to the location where the individual worked, and to the families on an ongoing basis?

Are individuals connected with the incident required to attend the NYPD Critical Incident Stress Management Program for debriefings?

Does NYPD News, and other department mechanisms utilize their production and social media outlets to spotlight mental health, morale, resiliency, and suicide prevention?

Is there the highest level of collaboration not only with NYPD fraternal organizations, but with all the unions?

Is there an immediate formal written communication to key individuals involved with health and wellness concerns - including the police commissioner and senior executives; advising them of incidents, and implementation of procedures, policy, guidelines, and protocols?

Are there not only required training conferences for all members of the Peer Support Group, but also a state-of-the art certification program with continuous renewal requirements?

Does the NYPD have a fraternal organization for victims’ families, with retreat style experiences and events to support their concerns?

Is there training, and or certifications for all involved with the recruitment process on mental health and suicide warning signs?

Are there guidelines for enhanced vigilance after an incident because of “copy-cat” concerns?

Are the many favorable EAU programs, and the Finest Care Northwell Direct program as effective as possible.  Since these provide antidotes to the crisis, what more can be done to maximize efficacy?

Aside from Northwell Direct, and the confidentiality involved, is there a mechanism for individuals to anonymously share other concerns that impact morale, resiliency, and mental health?

Are we working in partnership with other city agencies to productively safeguard other first responders?

How often are there conferences to address issues of ethical leadership, morale, resiliency, and suicide prevention? Are these events marketed to address critical issues not only for current personnel, but for retirees, and open to military veterans?

After my remarks to the NYPD American Legion Post 460 Fraternal Organization, I was advised by a board member that there are over 3,400 NYPD personnel who have served in the armed forces.  Is there a program that specifically addresses their mental health concerns due not only to their current law enforcement status, but their military background?

BACKGROUND

These are some of the issues essential to developing my initiative title The NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis, Principled Leadership, Morale, Resilience © due to the cooperation of former Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon.

We had been in contact on these issues not only while he was the NYPD Commissioner, but during his time with the FBI, which had led me to conduct numerous keynotes for the bureau.

I am confident that dedication to these critical issues will remain, especially encouraged by the ethical leadership, dedication, and commitment of Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

FINAL REFLECTION

"It has been my sacred privilege to have provided leadership on trauma and crisis management for 45 years.

"At the aforementioned NYPD meeting, I was asked to highlight these credentials, and to spotlight not only my crisis management reputation, but chaplaincy achievements.

"These include, but not limited to, confidant to the New York Yankees after the tragic death of their captain in a plane crash, spokesperson for a coalition of victims and their families of the Virginia Tech tragedy [authoring a report on their behalf], and decades of additional trauma related services and ministry.

"Bullet points are noted, shared with the hope that these credentials will most effectively be deployed. 

"This will be in collaboration with the dedicated expertise of NYPD whom I am privileged to be working with. Our mutual goal is to make the department a national model of leadership, health, and wellness.

"A prayer for the blessings of this sacred season upon all members of the NYPD, and all of American law enforcement. 

"Respectfully, Vincent J. Bove"

Note Well: Names of Addresses on Dec. 24, 2024 communication from Vincent J. Bove have been redacted as an expression of respectful confidentiality.

Bullet Points noted below were included in an attachment to the Dec. 24, 2024 communication.

Mental Health Resources for NYPD Members

Related Bove Published Works from the NACOP:

The NYPD: Leading Through a National Crisis ©

NYPD Employee Assistance Unit: Leading Through a National Crisis ©

21st Century Policing: Issues and Response                           

21st Century American Policing Demands Ethical Leadership

Police Suicides: Awareness, Compassion, Action

Safeguarding America’s Protectors: A Community Responsibility

America’s Law Enforcement Sacrifices Demand Eternal Gratitude

Igniting 21st Century Ethical Policing: Understanding the Profession

“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, houses of worship, and one another. Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  Security and personal safety demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.”  Vincent J Bove

PHOTOS:

1. In Memoriam: NYPD Sgt. Ivan Rodriquez (RALLC illustration) 

2. Profound experience Dec. 18, 2024 after my Eucharistic service at a senior residence home in Morris County, NJ.
    

After asking for their prayers at the end of the service, Claire Palestri, seen here with me in the collage, shared the story of her father, James Francis Carberry.

He was an NYPD Detective who died by suicide in 1938, and was found by Clare and her mother.

It was an experience that has remained with Claire throughout her life.

Claire asked me to share the story and assured me of her prayers for my work so we can prevent others from going through this heartbreak.

The New York Times clip here is from 1938, and the photo of Claire and her husband Robert Palestri, a World War II United States Air Force pilot, touches the soul.

3. Collage of NACOP article by Vincent J. Bove.

4. Annemarie Rossiter Dec. 11, 2024 email to Bove, with permission. (RALLC collage) 

Excerpt:  "Thank you for such a beautifully written article. It was a wonderful tribute to our son...In honor of Colin, I try to help as many as I can with Beyond the Badge because I don't want anyone to feel the incredible pain we have experience since his loss." Annemarie Rossiter

Vincent J. Bove Bullet Point Bio as Requested by NYPD Officials

•  National Speaker, Confidant & Author of 4 books & 325 articles on ethical leadership & public safety.

•  NYPD Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker - spotlighting ethical leadership, morale, resiliency & suicide prevention.

•  Chaplain: Players from two New York Yankees World Series Championship Teams & players throughout Major League Baseball - authoring 2 books on this ministry.

•  Spokesperson: Coalition of victim’s families from the Virginia Tech tragedy, authoring a report on their behalf.

•  Two master’s degrees: Pontifical Josephinum, a Vatican institution.

•  45 years of chaplaincy with extensive missionary activities - traveled throughout China 6 times with his wife during the last 8 years.

•  10 years pro bono youth ministry as a Salesian of Don Bosco - developed summer camps in the Bahamas, St. Thomas Church in Harlem, & Louisianna.

•  Chairperson: Bergen County Police Chiefs Association for 20 years on ethical leadership & school violence.

•  National Association of Chiefs of Police author - 15 years with unprecedented 18 cover stores on policing leadership.

•  Developed & published policing certification program titled 21st Century Policing: America’s Ethical Protector

•  Speaker: FBI, law enforcement, school violence, U.S. Air Force & the United States Military Academy - who sponsored his book Listen To Their Cries for all attendees at their National Conference of Ethics in America.