City leaders address three Chicago police officers including a sergeant taking their own lives over the last month
Two Chicago police officers and one sergeant have died by suicide within a month, Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said at a news conference Monday morning, addressing the most recent spate of incidents in which city officers took their own lives.
Patricia Swank, a Chicago police officer for more than six years, died by suicide July 2, and another officer, Durand Lee, 42, died by suicide Friday, according to a statement from police.Also, on March 12, Sgt. Edward Dougherty, 52, died by suicide. There have been more than a dozen Chicago police officers to take their own lives since 2018.
Asked if the city is doing enough for the mental health of officers, Mayor Lori Lightfoot at a press event said, “First and foremost, I think the three suicides present us with an opportunity to remember that our police officers endure incredible stress and trauma every single day.”The city has put $20 million into its budget to expand offerings for officers and families and is working with the public health department to destigmatize mental health challenges, Lightfoot said.
Sobo said utilization of the department’s mental health and wellness programs are the highest they have been, “which is an indicator of how difficult things are out there, but the trust in our services.”
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