Suicide thoughts and behaviors among police officers: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Police officers face chronic occupational stress, yet reliable estimates of their suicidal behaviors remain scarce. This meta-analysis assessed the pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among police officers across various time frames. A systematic search of five databases (2000-2025) identified 36 eligible studies from 16 countries, encompassing 62,663 officers. Random-effects meta-analysis estimated lifetime prevalence rates of 21% for suicidal ideation (95% CI: 15.2%-28.9%), 6% for suicide planning (95% CI: 4.1%-7.2%), and 3% for suicide attempts (95% CI: 1.1%-7.8%). These rates often exceeded those in the general population. Findings also revealed an 11% decrease in lifetime ideation over the past two decades and a 23% reduction in risk between ages 33 and 50. Results underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health research and increased institutional support from political and law enforcement entities.