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by
John M. Violanti, Andrew F. O'Hara, and Teresa Tate
In this book, the authors extend their academic
research and knowledge on the subject to a national level. Two of the authors, who have personally dealt with the aftermath
of suicide, add a realistic description of what it is like to be “on the edge.” Violanti is a former NY State
trooper and is now the nation's foremost researcher on police suicide. Andy O'Hara, a California Highway Patrol sergeant
who survived a near suicide and describes the feelings and pain he felt during that crisis period, and Teresa Tate, whose
husband died by suicide, will add immeasurably to the understanding of this problem.
Chapter One discusses police suicide rates
and the ongoing controversy that surrounds this area of research. In Chapter Two, the authors describe two in-depth analyses
of national police suicide rates. Chapter Three is based on a conceptual model of the career span of a police officer and
trauma within that span that may exacerbate conditions for suicide. Chapter Four presents a discussion of factors that may
help to protect police officers from suicide.
In Chapter Five, Andy O'Hara discusses his
own journey to the edge and how such decisions may come about in police officers. In Chapter Six, Andy O'Hara presents a description
of his newly developed program, “Badge of Life,” which seeks to “depower” police trauma and, instead,
“empower” the officer. In doing so, they will be prepared not only for stress but for trauma before it occurs
and know what to do when it does. In Chapter Seven, the aftereffects of suicide are explored and how police support can help
to ameliorate psychological distress and trauma associated with an officer’s death. Teresa Tate, founder and leader
of the survivor group S.O.L.E.S. (Survivors of Law Enforcement Suicide), presents actual cases of police survivors derived
from her personal interviews with these survivors. In the final chapter, the authors conclude with a description and critical
analysis of present programs for police suicide prevention.
Law enforcement practitioners, researchers
and therapists, as well as police organizational policymakers, will benefit from the discussions presented in this book.
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Violanti, O’Hara, and Tate, in On the Edge: Recent Perspectives on Police Suicide, have compiled the most recent data available to bring much needed attention to this specific population.
Violanti and colleagues propose, and provide, a comprehensive
program to address mental health and wellness (ESC – Emotional Self-Care) that is advocated in addition to general suicide
prevention programs that most departments already have in place. This proactive piece requires departmental support but has
the potential to have impact on numerous officers’ lives. On the Edge should be mandatory reading for every police officer in a leadership position.
--
William M. Schmitz Jr., Psy.D.
The
Badge of Life's “Emotional Self-Care Training” program is a necessary component of police work. Experiencing daily contact with violent, perverse and
cruel people takes a toll on a police officer’s heart and mind and has a toxic effect on the soul. Officers need a program
that allows them to unload the venom that has slowly seeped into their brains. The consequences of doing nothing are shocking
and heartbreaking, not just for the officers who had many years of life ahead of them, but for the families who must suffer
the loss and confusion of losing a loved one to suicide. An officer who commits suicide dies once, but the spouses, partners
and children grieve and weep every day for the rest of their lives.
It
is a small concession for officers to do a voluntary annual mental health check. It will prevent a lifetime of misery for
those left behind, and give officers a greater quality of life and a positive outlook for the future.
--
Allen R. Kates, author of “CopShock, Second Edition: Surviving Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)”.
On
The Edge, by John Violanti, Andrew O’Hara and Teresa Tate, is an important book for all who wear a uniform in service
to other as well as their family members. Law Enforcement, firefighters,
emergency service workers and the military experience things most do not or ever will. Post Traumatic Stress education and
awareness is vital to the healing journey.
On
the Edge provides the reader with that education and awareness of knowing that not all wounds bleed.
--Bob
Delaney, former New Jersey State Trooper and author of “Surviving the Shadows” and “Covert - My Years Infiltrating the Mob.”
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