Oroho’s Initiative to Help Prevent Police Suicide Advances

Senator Steven Oroho’s legislation to help prevent law enforcement suicide has advanced in the Law and Public Safety Committee.

Senator Steven Oroho’s legislation to help prevent law enforcement suicide has advanced. (Flickr)

“Just as the public often needs the help of the police, our brave police officers need our help, too,” said Oroho (R-24). “Our nation’s law enforcement run to confront danger as others flee, often being put in physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging situations. Prioritizing their psychological health and well-being by providing resiliency training is an important step to ensure we are there for our law enforcement community when they need it most.”

More police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty, according to the National Association on Mental Illness.

Since 2016, 37 law enforcement officers in New Jersey have taken their own lives.

Oroho’s bipartisan legislation, S-1730, would establish a training curriculum designed to prevent law enforcement officer suicide. The program would be created by the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, in consultation with the Department or Human Services.

“Law enforcement is continuously exposed to the worst of society’s ills on a daily basis,” added Oroho. “Empowering our police with the proper tools and support to handle traumatic situations will save the lives of those who are tasked to save ours.”

This in-service training would address the causes, behaviors, warning signs, and risk factors associated with officer suicide.