Former Detroit police chief wants more attention to mental health

DETROIT – In October, an off-duty Detroit police officer was killed after shooting two of their fellow officers in the city.

Police Chief James White called it “suicide by cop.”

The situation occurred on October 14, near the Highland Park water tower.

Police said officers were responding to a 911 call from the off-duty officer when he began shooting, wounding two officers. The officers returned fire and killed him.

Officers said the shooter was in full uniform. He was 45 years old and had worked for the Detroit Police Department for 13 years.

Community leaders are asking what should be done to help officers ensure this doesn’t happen again.

“Every police department, every police department in this country should have access to some form of mental health care for its officers,” said Isaiah “Ike” McKinnon.

McKinnon worked for the Detroit Police Department for decades, nearly five years as chief of the department and 20 years as a professor at the University of Detroit Mercy. He said he had probably attended 70 funerals of police officers.

“I’ve lost four officers during my time as chief, and each time it hits you more and more,” McKinnon said.

Police officers are confronted with unpredictable and potentially traumatic situations every day. They may encounter events ranging from bank robberies to the discovery of dead bodies, including children.

The long-term and cumulative effects on police officers who experience frequent traumatic events during their careers are uncertain and McKinnon expressed concern about the increased risk of suicide among police officers even after retirement.

McKinnon said it is up to the officers’ friends, family and colleagues to be vigilant and look out for them.

“And it’s hard for the officer to see this, but maybe his or her partner will see that something is different,” McKinnon said. “If the person isn’t talking, if they’re drinking, if they start doing unusual things that they haven’t done before, if there’s a chance the officer might behave in some violent manner. These are all options that everyone, especially the officer’s spouse or supervisor, should look into.”

Law enforcement officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. According to a 2018 report, more than 1,200 people died by suicide in the seven years studied – more than 180 per year.

Chief White of Detroit, who has a degree in counseling, has been praised by McKinnon for his proactive efforts in addressing mental health issues. White has created a dedicated mental health unit within the Detroit Police Department to increase the department’s focus on mental health.

White has since been named the new president and CEO of Michigan’s largest community mental health organization, the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. Vice Mayor Todd Bettison has been appointed interim police chief following White’s decision to resign from his new role.