Lightfoot: Law enforcement suicides present an chance to handle legislation enforcement hardships

Andrew Hensel | The Heart Square

July 19, 08:38 AM July 19, 08:51 AM

(The Center Square) – Mayor Lori Lightfoot claims Chicago has an prospect to handle mental well being challenges in just the Chicago Police Office after a fourth officer has died by suicide considering the fact that March.

Two officers and just one Sergeant for the Chicago Law enforcement Office have taken their individual lives due to the fact the starting of July.

On March 12, Sgt. Edward Dougherty dedicated suicide. On July 2, Officer Patricia Swank died immediately after an clear suicide, and officer Durand Lee handed absent on July 15.

On July 17, Sgt. Andrew Dobda also took his life.

At an unrelated information conference Monday, Lightfoot stated Chicago has an opportunity to handle difficulties related to its legislation enforcement officers' mental perfectly-being.

"I imagine the a few suicides offers us with an prospect to remember that our law enforcement officers endure remarkable worry and trauma," Lightfoot said. "The problem and chance is to make absolutely sure we acknowledge the reality of our officer's work."

Lightfoot was asked if she thinks the metropolis is carrying out enough for its officers. The mayor pointed to excess funds in the city's 2023 price range.

"With the town council's approval, we set an additional $20 million into the budget this 12 months," Lightfoot mentioned. "It is to broaden the mental wellness offerings to the officers and their households."

Lightfoot urged the general public to feel of the households all through this tough time.

"We are naturally all grieving for the decline of these 3 lives," Lightfoot claimed. "We need to say a prayer and continue to keep the families entrance and center simply because they will be residing with this grief for very some time."

Because Lightfoot took workplace in 2018, a lot more than a dozen Chicago Police officers have committed suicide. The U.S. Division of Justice in 2017 documented "CPD’s officer suicide level is extra than 60% increased than the nationwide average of 18.1 regulation enforcement suicides for each 100,000."

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be attained by dialing 988.