Law Enforcement Mental Health Concerns: Challenges and Response
These challenges exist not only with the NYPD, but law enforcement nationwide.
Based on my appointment as the NYPD Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker, I am fully dedicated to addressing the concerns.
As an expression of my resolve, my previous
post, is shared below.
The post was based on my December 24, 2024 email to key NYPD
officials.
It is my hope that by spotlighting concerns again, our wholehearted perseverance will continue.
Leadership, vigilance, and collaboration, my slogan for over 20 years, are the pillars for addressing the mental health issues, and all crisis management issues.
May we work together with a full force resolve
to protect those who protect us.
Continue the Clarion Call
Mental health demands moral courage. It also irrefutably requires continual
reminders of the fundamentals of crisis management. These include good planning, communication, procedures, protocols, guidelines, policies, and continuous follow through with updates.
We must have unwavering commitment to helping our protectors. And we must also assist not only active sworn officers, but all (including civilian personnel) who serve, and have served law
enforcement agencies.
The ongoing unity of effort with my law enforcement and
first responder colleagues must continue.
All who serve our communities, and all dedicated to
supporting them, deserve our respect, admiration, and support.
America’s Law Enforcement Suicide Crisis: Issues and Response
During the first months of my appointment there were NYPD suicides.
A Renewed Commitment
We must prayerfully remembrance of all whom have died by suicide, and we must continue to act.
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
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 2024 Bove Email to NYPD and Mental Health Officials
"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.
“Good morning, Vincent
and thank you for all your hard work to educate the NYPD on suicide awareness and prevention.
"My dear friend Trudy has shared it perfectly, ‘Colin’s legacy goes on, he had a purpose that will live beyond his years…something good has come out of all of this.”
Annemarie Rossiter, Mother of NYPD Officer Colin Rossiter
"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.
“I pray that they listen and learn.
“Your talks are not just another class they must attend, but rather a step to survival.
“Its not about just looking to prevent suicide among cops, but about prevention of suicide for themselves as well.”
NYPD Detective Kathy Burke retd., Police Self Support Group Vice President
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.
These points were shared via email with respected NYPD officials, as well as mental health professionals approved by the department, on December 24, 2024.
It is my humble opinion that evaluating these issues will enable us to most effectively serve:
Are there protocols, procedures, 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
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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
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
Thank you to all who made my appointment by possible, and authorized me to train, advise and assist members of the NYPD and FDNY:
· NYPD Police Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon for his visionary leadership and confidence in me.
· FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker for his leadership with partnering the FDNY with the NYPD.
· NYPD Executive Staff for their time during our meetings, and brainstorming an action plan for my initiative.
· Chief John Benoit, Director of Personnel for his time with Commissioner Donlon and myself, and the professionalism of his staff during my appointment processing.
· NYPD Chief Supervising Surgeon Dr. Eli Kleinman M.D. M.P.H for his invitation to speak to the Police Self Support Group (PSSG) on November 14, 2024, and his attendance.
· Dr. Lokesh Reddy M.D., NYPD Psychiatrist; for his time with the conference call with Dr. Kleinman and myself.
· Inspector Mark Wachter, Commanding Officer of the Health and Wellness Section for developing an actionable plan on my appointment for the Police Commissioner.
· FDNY Lieutenant / Deputy Director Andrew Kane, Bureau of Health Services / Counseling Unit for coordinating fire house visits, and my keynote to the FDNY Peer Support Group.
· PSSG Training Coordinator Peter Pallos for his admirable dedication to assisting others, and his invitation to speak at various events.
· NYPD legal matters, POPPA, the New York City Police Foundation, and many NYPD officials whom made my appointment possible after our PC conference room collaboration.
· NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor for his support of my appointment and dedication to his profession.
In particular, it is imperative to express my admiration for all NYPD and FDNY personnel dedicated to protecting our communities. It is also necessary to thank the NYPD Police Self Support Group, and NYPD and FDNY Peer Support Groups for their inspiring commitment to assist their colleagues.
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.
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, & Louisiana.
• 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.
ABOUT VINCENT
Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker, author, and confidant on issues critical to America with 325 published works.
His most recent of four books are Reawakening America © and Listen to Their Cries.©
Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, former confidant of players from two world-champion New York Yankee teams, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy victim's families.
He was appointed Honorary Law Enforcement Motivational Speaker by the NYPD. In this role he addresses ethical leadership, building morale, emotional resiliency, and suicide prevention at NYPD and FDNY events, roll calls, firehouses, and in published works.
Bove has been an author for the National Association of Chiefs of Police for 15 years. He has over 60 published works, and an unprecedented 18 cover stories for their magazine.
He served the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association for 20 consecutive years as liaison and chairperson on policing leadership, violence prevention, and public safety issues.
He conducted Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention © keynotes to safeguard New York City at sites including:
· Museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
· Corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange
· Hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University
· Properties hosted by The Union Club of New York
· Universities hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham University.
Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the NYPD, FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide. vincentbove.com
* Governance & Pontifical Identity: The Josephinum is a pontifical institution immediately subject to the Holy See, through the Apostolic Nuncio, and governed by the Board of Trustees. Its programs follow the norms established by the Code of Canon Law, the Congregation for the Clergy, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As a pontifical seminary, the Josephinum assists seminarians in developing their unity and love for the Holy Father and the Holy See
Labels: Collaborative Policing, Faith Based, In Remembrance, Law Enforcement, Leadership, Mental Health, NYPD, Policing, Presentations
posted by Vincent J. Bove, CPP at 1:30 PM
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