Under the Blue Shadow: Clinical and Behavioral Perspectives on Police Suicide

Police work involves the difficult task of preventing community dysfunction and preserving law and order within the community. Officers who deal with human misery on a daily basis work under a hidden danger not visible on the street: that of psychological harm. UNDER THE BLUE SHADOW was written to provide clinical cases and research in one volume in order to help provide a well-rounded view of police officers who work under these conditions. It will be a valuable resource for helping officers to survive this psychologically dangerous occupation. The authors of this book have both had experience with policing. The cases described in this book are from the files of Stephanie Samuels who has counseled troubled officers for many years. Dr. John M. Violanti is a 23-year veteran of the New York State Police and has conducted research on police trauma and suicide for 20 years. Police officers and executives, counselors, and other mental health professionals will find the book to be a valuable addition to their library. Chapters include: Introduction; Working with the Police: A Therapist's View; Research on Police Suicide; The Police Role and Suicide Risk; Posttraumatic Stress, the Police, and Suicide; Trauma and Police Suicide Ideation; The Police Organization and Suicide; Suicide by Cop: Impact on Police Officers; Suicide by Suspect: Suicide by Cop Turned Inside Out; Other Psychological Issues in Policing; and Police Suicide Prevention: Future Directions.