In Wisconsin, the critical issue of police suicide is being addressed, with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) identified as a significant contributing factor. For at least the past three years, the number of peace officers who have died by suicide in Wisconsin has exceeded those who died in the line of duty. This alarming statistic is well-known within law enforcement, particularly after reports indicated 228 police suicides in 2019, compared to 134 line of duty deaths during the same period. It’s important to note that the official figures may underestimate the true extent of the problem, as some cases are categorized differently due to ambiguous circumstances, such as alcohol or substance abuse, or are classified as “accidental” deaths.
The Wisconsin Professional Police Association is actively working to combat police suicide, as reported by CHANNEL3000.com. The executive director of the association testified during a public comment session on a bill aimed at removing barriers for public safety officers, including police and fire personnel, to file claims with the Worker’s Compensation Fund for Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD). While many professionals advocate for removing the “D” for “disorder” from the name, the core issue remains the same: addressing the mental health needs of first responders.
“We’ve come a long way as a country in recognizing PTSD and the signs and how to treat it,” said Jim Palmer, the executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. “But law enforcement officers haven’t had that opportunity to benefit from that, and that’s why this is so important.”
He explained that current law is based on a 1974 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that requires public safety officers to demonstrate a diagnosis based on unusual stress exceeding the day-to-day emotional strain experienced by similarly situated employees. The proposed bill seeks to eliminate this requirement.
“It basically says that any incident of traumatic experience must be over and above what is normal,” said Chief Greg Leck, the legislative co-chair for the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association. “Well, what’s normal for a public safety person? Everything.”
Palmer emphasized that the bill would clarify which insurance provider, either private or Worker’s Compensation, would cover treatment costs. It would also allow public safety officers to take up to 32 weeks off work to fully recover from their Post-Traumatic Stress, instead of being forced to use vacation time, which is a common practice now, although some agencies do offer paid administrative leave.
Leck shared his personal experience with Post-Traumatic Stress and noted its prevalence among police officers, according to CHANNEL3000.com. “To me it’s an injury,” he said. “And if it’s an injury, it can be healed.”
Other members of his organization addressed lawmakers, sharing their experiences with the daily stresses of their jobs. “I remember my first death scene,” said Chief Ken Pileggi. “(I) remember the girl’s name. I remember what happened. I remember what she looks like. It’s burned in my memory.” Such experiences highlight the cumulative impact of trauma on law enforcement professionals.
The bill has bipartisan support in both houses of the state Legislature. While some representatives expressed concerns about the exclusion of Emergency Medical Service workers, Rep. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, a bill author, indicated openness to future legislation to extend the changes to EMS workers.
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