Commissioner O'Neill Addresses All Members of the NYPD Regarding Suicide Awareness and the Resources Available to Them

March 1, 2018

Today, Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill sent the following message to every member of the New York City Police Department.

To the Men and Women of the New York City Police Department:

This week, we are again mourning the loss of one of our family members. A young police officer from the 84th Precinct, on the job for just over two years, took her own life at home in Brooklyn. Already this year, we have lost three members to suicide. One is too many.

As an NYPD cop, the thing I am most proud of is that we truly are a family. And because we spend so much of our lives in our patrol cars, station houses, and offices, we often see more of the people we work with than our own relatives.

Each of us is dedicated to the important business of fighting crime and keeping New Yorkers safe. This is a tough job. And your personal life can be even tougher. We all have lives outside the job. And we all have our own stories.

We agree, in an ideal world, seeking out help is never a sign of weakness — it's a sign of great strength. If you are having a problem of any kind, please contact the services offered inside and outside the department — because you never have to shoulder your burden alone. Trained members will listen and connect you with even more help, around the clock. And if you know of someone else who may need to talk, please make the first move.

I ask that you click on this link to learn more about some of the many services available.

Thank you for what you do every day for our department and the people of New York City. And always, stay safe.

Sincerely,

James P. O'Neill
Police Commissioner