Police Shooting as a Method of Self-Harming: a Review of the Evidence for ‘Suicide by Cop’ in England and Wales Between 1998 and 2001

This paper examines 22 police shooting incidents between 1998 & 2001 that occurred in England & Wales to assess the likelihood of suicidal motivation in each of them. Around half of the shootings examined have some evidence indicating the victim had a suicidal motive, with further indications of irrational behaviour in a number of the other cases. There are clear implications for the choice of police strategy in responding to such incidents & an imperative to develop less lethal options to minimise the risk to such vulnerable populations. (17 refs.)