Measuring Law Enforcement Suicide: Challenges and Opportunities: Proceedings of a Workshop (2023)
Chapter: Appendix C: Sample of Relevant Data Collections
TABLE C-1 Sample of Relevant Data Collections
| Name | Organization or Funder | LE Specific? | Occupation codes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available | Type(s) | |||
| LESDCb | FBI | Yes | Yes | Occupational category |
| NVDRSc | CDC | No | Yes | Census codesd |
| NSDUHf | SAMHSA | No | Not currentlyg | Multipleh |
| NDIk | NCHS | No | Yes | Indirectl |
| NOMSo | NIOSH | No | Yes | 1990 or 2000 Census codes |
| Blue H.E.L.P. databaser | Nongovernmental | Yes | Yes | Branchs and rank |
NOTES: CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FBI = Federal Bureau of Investigation; LE = law enforcement; LEA = law enforcement agency; LEEP = Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal; LEO = law enforcement officer; LESDC = Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection; NCHS = National Center for Health Statistics; NDI = National Death Index; NIOSH = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; NOMS = National Occupational Mortality Surveillance; NSDUH = National Survey on Drug Use and Health; NVDRS = National Violent Death Reporting System; SA = suicide attempt; SAMHSA = Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
aScope also includes sample size and coverage if available.
bReporting by agency is voluntary.
cHas both public and restricted-access databases. Restricted access database has case-level information for all variables provided.
dBased on the U.S. Census Bureau’s Industry and Occupational codes.
eSome states in 2003 and all states starting in 2019.
fAnnual data provides national and state-level estimates on mental illness and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
gNot currently, but yes for earlier years.
hResponses coded to 1 of 14 industry sectors and to 1 of 14 occupational categories.
iHousehold surveys (face-to-face and web-based interviews).
| Collection attributes | Measures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scopea | Mechanism/Process | Year Began | Cadence | Completed suicides | SAs | Correlates |
| All LEAs in United States | Designated LE officials can submit data through the LEEP | 2022 | Ongoing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| United States | Separate data collection in each state, district, or territory | 2003e | Ongoing | Yes | No | Yes |
| 70,000 people per year; all 50 states | Household surveysi | 2008j | Annually | No | Yes | Yes |
| Variesm | 2–3 monthsn | 1979 | Ongoing | Not directly | No | No |
| Ages 18–90p | Death certificates issued by state vital records offices | 1985 | Specific yearsq | Yes | No | No |
| All LEOs that meet definitiont | Multipleu | 2016v | Ongoing | Yes | Previous attemptw | Yes |
jSurvey began in 1971, but suicidality measures were added in 2008.
kNCHS currently linking NCHS surveys with administrative data from the NDI.
lIncludes death certificate number, which may list occupation.
mAll death records from 1979–latest; all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
nNDI pulls death record information at the request of researchers. It can take 2–3 months for an application to be reviewed/approved.
oInformation is from funeral directors who report deaths to NIOSH.
pIf employed in a specified occupation or industry.
q1985 to 1998 or 1999, 2003–2004, and 2007–2014.
rOnce an officer death is submitted via the online submission form, a member of the Blue H.E.L.P. staff begins a verification process.
sLaw enforcement, corrections, or dispatcher.
tFor all LEOs defined as government employees who prevent, investigate, apprehend, or detain individuals suspected or convicted of criminal offenses.
uData submitted by family, coworkers, or friends through an online submission form that is regularly posted on social media and by LEAs and supporters.
vInformation has also been collected as far back as 1979.
wForm asks whether the person who died by suicide has attempted previously.
SOURCE: Taken from Jennifer Rineer presentation, April 26, 2023.
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