DETROIT – The case of an off-duty officer opening fire on two fellow officers before being killed in Detroit is a harsh reminder that officers experience a level of trauma higher than many others.
“They’re just exposed to the worst of the worst every single day,” said Andy Arena with the Detroit Crime Commission. “What they see, what they experience, what they take home with them, it’s really difficult to deal with. It’s heartbreaking.”
Arena added:
“I’m sure it’s anguish for men and women in that department, particularly the officers that engaged that day. 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 says 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.”
---> What we know: Off-duty cop killed after shooting 2 other officers in Detroit
Dr. Gerald Shiener is the chief of Psychiatry at DMC Sina-Grace Hospital, where he regularly works with the Detroit Police Department. As he explains, everyone involved will likely be affected.
“It’s always a trauma when a police officer has to use a firearm,” said Shiener. “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,” Sheiner said. “They use referral psychiatrists in the community to evaluate police officers to determine if they’re fit for work or if they need help. 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,” Sheiner said. “And it makes it very difficult to ask for help if they need it.”
Detroit police Chief James White has been extremely vocal about mental health resources for officers. This is just another example of why this is a serious issue. off-duty