DETROIT – In October, an off-duty Detroit police officer was killed after shooting two of their fellow officers in the city.
Police Chief James White called it “suicide by cop.”
The situation unfolded Oct. 14, near the Highland Park water tower.
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.
Officers said the shooter was in full uniform. He was 45 years old and had 13 years in the Detroit Police Department.
Community leaders are asking what needs to be done to help officers to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“Every police department, every police department in this country, should have access for their officers to some form of mental health assistance,” said Isaiah “Ike” McKinnon.
McKinnon spent decades working with the Detroit Police Department, nearly five years as the department’s chief, and 20 years as a professor at the University of Detroit Mercy. He said he probably attended 70 funerals for police officers.
“I lost four officers during my time as chief, and each and every time, it grabs you more and more,” McKinnon said.
Police officers face unpredictable and potentially traumatic situations every single day. They might encounter events ranging from bank robberies to the discovery of dead bodies, including children.
The long-term and cumulative effects on police officers who experience traumatic events regularly over their careers are uncertain and McKinnon expressed his concern about the increased risk of suicide among officers, even after retirement.
McKinnon said it‘s up to the officers’ friends, family and coworkers to be vigilant and keep an eye out for them.
“And it’s hard for the officer to see this, but maybe his or her partner will see there’s something that’s different,” McKinnon said. “If the person is they’re not talking, if they are drinking, if they start doing things out of the ordinary that they haven’t done before, if there’s a potential of the officer acting in some violent way. All those are potentials for everyone, and particularly that officer’s partner or supervisor, to look at.”
Law enforcement officers are more likely to die from suicide than in the line of duty. According to a 2018 report, more than 1,200 died by suicide in the seven years studied -- more than 180 annually.
Detroit’s Chief White -- who has a degree in counseling -- has been commended by McKinnon for his proactive efforts in addressing mental health issues. White has established a dedicated mental health division within the Detroit Police Department to enhance the department’s focus on mental health.
White has since been named the new president and CEO of Michigan’s largest community mental health organization, the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison has been appointed as the interim police chief following White’s decision to step down for his new role.
