'Suicide By Cop' Cases On the Rise

- 200 ILLINOIS POLICE OFFICERS TO ATTEND DISCUSSION-

WHAT: "Suicide by Cop" (SBC) is a suicide method in which a person
engages in actual or apparent danger to others in an attempt
to get oneself killed or injured by law enforcement. A new
study in the Journal of Forensic Sciences examined the
prevalence of this phenomenon among a large sample of officer-
involved shootings. Results show that SBC occurs at extremely
high rates, with 36 percent of all shootings being categorized
as SBC. The findings confirm the growing incidence of this
method of suicide. More than 200 police officers from across
the state will be in attendance to learn more on the signs and
symptoms behind this disturbing trend.

WHO: Linda Lewaniak, LCSW, Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health
Hospital - a leading expert on the topic - will be joined by
representatives from over 40 police departments statewide,
including deputy and police chiefs and a special panel of
clinicians specializing in the treatment and diagnosis of
PTSD.

WHY: Police officers reacting to the aftermath of "suicide by cop"
will often display symptoms of post-traumatic stress which can
potentially affect their ability to perform their duties.
Police officers are also victims in these cases. Among the
many symptoms reported are hyper vigilance, fear, anger,
sleeplessness, recurrent nightmares and depression. In many
instances, the timing, speed at which the encounter escalated
and officer's perception of immediate danger to self or others
left him or her with no choice but to use deadly force. The
conference is designed to help officers recognize these
symptoms and provide resources for treatment.

WHERE
WHEN: Friday, November 6, 2009 - 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Alexian Brothers Medical Center
Kennedy Conference Center
800 Biesterfield Road
Elk Grove Village

CONTACT: Matt Wakely
847-385-7176

/PRNewswire -- Nov. 5/

SOURCE Alexian Brothers Medical Center