Detroit’s former police chief wants greater focus on mental health

DETROIT – In October, an off-duty Detroit police officer died after shooting two of his colleagues in the city.

Police Chief James White called it a “suicide by cop.”

The incident occurred on October 14 near the water tower in Highland Park.

Police said officers were responding to a 911 call from an off-duty officer when he began shooting.injuring two officers. The officers fired back and killed him.

Officers said the shooter was in full uniform. He was 45 years old and had worked for the Detroit police for 13 years.

Community leaders are asking what should be done to help officers ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.

“Every police department, every police department in this country should have access to some form of mental health support for their officers,” said Isaiah “Ike” McKinnon.

McKinnon spent decades working for the Detroit Police Department, nearly five years as chief of the department and 20 years as a professor at the University of Detroit Mercy. He said he probably attended 70 funerals of police officers.

“I lost four officers while I was chief, and each time it hits me more and more,” McKinnon said.

Police officers face unpredictable and potentially traumatic situations every day. They may encounter events ranging from bank robberies to the discovery of dead bodies, including children.

The long-term and cumulative impact on police officers who regularly experience traumatic events throughout their careers is uncertain, and McKinnon expressed his concern about the increased risk of suicide among officers, even after retirement.

McKinnon said officers’ friends, family and colleagues need to remain vigilant and look out for them.

“It’s hard for the officer to see it, but maybe his partner will notice the difference,” McKinnon said. “If a person doesn’t talk, if they drink, if they start doing unusual things that they haven’t done before, if there is a risk that the officer will behave in some violent way. All of this is potential that everyone should pay attention to, especially the officer’s partner or superior.

Law enforcement officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. According to a 2018 report, over the seven years covered by the study, more than 1,200 people died by suicide – or more than 180 per year.

Detroit CEO White, who has a background in counseling, was praised by McKinnon for his active efforts to address mental health issues. White created a special mental health unit within the Detroit Police Department to increase the department’s focus on mental health.

Since then, white has been called the new one President and CEO of Michigan’s largest community mental health organizationDetroit Wayne Integrated Healthcare Network. Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison has been named interim police chief following White’s decision to step down in his new position.