>Still, studies do support your position:
>
>http://www.apa.org/monitor/jan01/suicide.html
>http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/sh20040126ar01p1.htm
>
>Yet, as you can see, one study shows that police officers have the highest 'relative risk' of committing suicide.
>
Yes, we do have a higher incidence of suicide, but we also tend to be more reclusive, or at least have a herd mentality. It's us v them - from the first day of the academy on. Friends who used to be friends, shy away.

I think the bigger factor is that many cops tend to overdo things like drinking, carousing, etc. The uniform attracts women like a magnet, and many can't turn down the temptations. I think the higher suicide rate has less to do with the policing part, than it does other factors like the ones mentioned. I've NEVER considered suicide. I have thought about assisting others with the same though.<g>

People think policing is tough on you mentally, it's not. The tough part is dealing with the a$$holes who are in command that don't know up from down, but because of politics, they make the decisions, and get promoted in spite of their incompetence. That grates on you.

Policing is easy for cops, it's the other BS that isn't.