1. Providing Hope Post Falls Police Department – Victim Services Unit
Achieving Zero Suicide for Our Inland Northwest Communities – March 2015

2. Overview Suicide on the increase Community In Law Enforcement
Idaho – Consistently in top ten in the Country
Kootenai County – Top in the State
In Law Enforcement
Two – Three times more likely to die from suicide.
Suspicious law enforcement deaths ruled accidental

3. P.F.P.D. Approach Victim Services – OASIS Chaplaincy Program
Very successful in dealing with domestic violence.
Chaplaincy Program
Volunteers
Success in dealing with employees and citizens in need.
Came up with the idea of following up and providing HOPE.

4. How It Works Community Education Staff Training
Suicide = Anyone…..Anytime
Service Clubs
Schools
Social media
Public Safety Announcement
Staff Training
Mental Health First Aid
QPR – Dr. Quinnett
Dr. Lou Sowers

5. Follow Up Threat comes into the 911 Center Police Officer Responds
We do receive threats via social media
Police Officer Responds
Provides Assistance
Majority of cases involve intoxication
Normally consists of medical care.

6. How It Works Victim Services involvement Chaplain follows up in person
They receive information from investigator
Chaplain follows up in person
Available to immediately respond
Meet with the entire family
Provides resources
Works to provide hope, somebody cares
Firearm safety is a consideration.
Safe keeping, Gun Locks

7. Is it Working? Difficult to measure
City is rapidly growing
Combat veterans returning from overseas
Chaplains have worked with hundreds of suicidal individuals
Until this year, no completions
Very positive feedback from the community

8. Public Service Announcement
Blue 541

9. Thank you!
Prevention may be a matter of a caring person with the right knowledge being available in the right place at the right time.
Scot Haug – Chief of Police
Post Falls Police Department
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