Bearing the badge, battling inner struggles: Understanding suicidal ideation in law enforcement

Law enforcement is a demanding profession characterized by high levels of unpredictability, uncontrollability, and frequent exposure to traumatic events, all of which can significantly impact psychological health. While previous studies have explored suicidal ideation among law enforcement personnel, there remains a need for deeper investigation into how factors such as demographics, job position, agency characteristics, and physical and psychological health influence this outcome. In this study, survey data from 883 sworn and professional personnel across eight law enforcement agencies are analyzed using ordered probit regression models. The findings underscore the predominant influence of psychological factors on suicidal ideation, particularly self-reported measures of mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mediation analysis further revealed that PTSD diminishes mental health, which in turn exacerbates suicidal ideation. These results highlight the vital role that enhanced mental health plays in reducing suicidal ideation and underscore the importance for law enforcement agencies to prioritize staff wellness by implementing comprehensive wellness programs.