DETROIT – A deadly shooting where Detroit police officers killed one of their own is a harsh reminder of the intense trauma and stress law enforcement endures.
Police said the officers were responding to a 911 call from the off-duty officer when he started shooting, injuring two officers. The officers shot back and killed him.
---> What we know: Off-duty cop killed after shooting 2 other officers in Detroit
“It’s heartbreaking. I’m sure it’s anguish for men and women if that department -- particularly the officers that engaged that day,” said Andy Arena. “They’ll live with that for the rest of their lives. But; I think it really reinforces the stress that officers are under every single day.”
Arena said the stigma surrounding officers and mental health has changed from when he was an officer decades ago.
“The way that law enforcement looked at mental health -- you didn’t seek professional help,” Arena said. “Law enforcement professionals have seen you have to do a better job of taking care of our officers.”
Dr. Gerald Shiener is the chief of Psychiatry at DMC Sina-Grace Hospital, which works with DPD on a pretty routine basis.
“It’s always a trauma when a police officer has to use a firearm,” Shiener said. “It’s especially difficult when it’s one of their own.”
The 45-year-old officer killed in this situation had been with the department for 13 years but was also battling a physical degenerative condition. DPD does however have a system in place to help officers when cases become too much.
“They have a mental health unit. They use referral psychiatrists in the community to evaluate police officers to determine if they’re fit for work or if they need help,” Shiener said. “So that help is available.”
But it’s up to the officer at the end of the day to ask for help.
“Police officers are expected to be strong, firm, always in charge, always there to help and always dependable,” Shiener said. “And it makes it very difficult to ask for help if they need it.”