SR0544 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0544 LRB097 18350 GRL 63991 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The law enforcement profession requires police officers to perform their duties in constant high-stress situations involving physical and psychological trauma, as well as daily exposure to human indecency and pain; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Suicide Prevention Resource Center 2005 report indicates that the Illinois suicide rate is 9.1 per 100,000 people; firearms represent the leading method of suicide, while males account for 81% of Illinois suicides; and

WHEREAS, A 2009 study compared more than 30 studies and concluded that the national rate of police officer suicide is 17 per 100,000 officers; and

WHEREAS, An informal survey conducted in 2008 at a major metropolitan police department in Illinois indicated that, of 142 responding officers, 85% reported knowing someone in law enforcement who had attempted suicide; and

WHEREAS, The maintenance of a police force and the carrying out of their official duties is of utmost importance to the health, safety, and welfare of all citizens of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the people of the State of Illinois to support the health of its law enforcement officers so that they may perform their duties to the best of their abilities; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board is responsible for police training and education throughout the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall convene a Task Force on Police Officer Suicide in Illinois within one month after the adoption of this resolution to study and evaluate all available data on the subject and submit its findings and make recommendations for what action, if any, may be necessary to prevent police officer suicide in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be composed of at least 10 members, and appointed as follows: (1) one designee from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, (2) one designee from the Illinois Law Enforcement Education Foundation, (3) one designee from the Illinois Critical Incident Support Team, (4) one designee from the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, (5) the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois or his designee, (6) one designee from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, (7)one designee from the Illinois Sheriffs Association, (8) one designee from the Chicago Police Department Peer Support program, (9) one designee from the State chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, (10) one designee with expertise in conducting academic studies, and (11) any other members as the chair may designate; the chair shall be elected from the membership; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of this Task Force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessary to complete its task; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Board shall, after consideration of the report of the Task Force, submit to the General Assembly for its consideration, no later than December 31, 2012, its recommendations for what action, if any, may be necessary to prevent police officer suicide in the State of Illinois.