Mental Health

Suicidal Behavior: Recommendations Regarding Duty Status and Work Restrictions

Suicidal Attempt: Recommendations Regarding Duty Status and Work Restrictions

The following conditions must be met prior to return to full duty:

• absence of impairing symptoms in the past 2 months
• evaluation by a doctoral-level licensed mental health provider acceptable to the police physician, who understands the functions and demands of police work
• if a mental health disorder is diagnosed, the LEO must also meet return-to work-criteria for the underlying mental disorder
• adherence to treatment
• no disqualifying adverse effects from treatments such as medication, electroconvulsive therapy, etc. (see LEO Medications Chapter)
• treatment of comorbidities (including substance abuse and sleep disorders)
• no cognitive impairment
• no suicide attempt within a minimum of 6 months
• no suicidal ideation within 2 months
• recurrent attempts will likely require permanent restrictions

Follow-up evaluations:

Regular evaluations by a doctoral-level mental health professional, at least monthly, for at least 6 months:

• evaluator should seek corroboration of the LEO’s status from collateral sources, e.g., family, peers, supervisors
• If medications have been prescribed for an associated mental illness, regular evaluations on a monthly basis or more frequently when the medication is tapered:
• regular evaluations on a monthly basis or more frequently for at least 3 months after discontinuing medication
• evaluation 6 and 12 months after discontinuing medication
• annual evaluation by the police physician or departmental mental health consultant

Suicidal Ideation (within 6 months)***: Recommendations Regarding Duty Status and Work Restrictions

• If there is a history of suicide attempt (see above)
• Restrictions, if needed, will depend on the risk posed by the ideation

The following conditions must be met prior to return to full duty:

• absence of impairing symptoms in the past 2 months
• evaluation by a doctoral-level licensed mental health provider who understands the functions and demands of police work
• if a mental health disorder is diagnosed, the LEO must meet return-to-work criteria for the underlying mental disorder
• adherence to treatment
• no suicidal ideation within 2 months
• no disqualifying adverse effects from treatments such as medication, electroconvulsive therapy, etc. (see LEO Medications chapter)
• treatment of comorbidities (including substance abuse and sleep disorders)
• no cognitive impairment

Follow-up Evaluations:

• regular evaluations as recommended by the doctoral-level mental health professional
• if medications have been prescribed for an associated mental illness, regular evaluations on a monthly basis or more frequently when the medication is tapered
• regular evaluations on a monthly basis or more frequently for at least 3 months after discontinuing medication
• evaluation 6 and 12 months after discontinuing medication
• annual evaluation by the police physician or departmental mental health consultant

***Thoughts of suicide, or suicidal ideation, exists on a continuum from passive thoughts that ‘one is better off dead’ which may be fleeting, to fantasies of, or plans for, suicide with high levels of detail.