Inside the ‘pressure cooker': Searching for answers after 4 LA sheriff's employees die by suicide in less than 24 hours

After four current and former members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department died by suicide in less than 24 hours, former police officer Omar Delgado understood the immense pressure that law enforcement officers face. Delgado, who suffers from PTSD after responding to the Pulse nightclub attack in 2016, compared the pressure to a pressure cooker, stating that if officers don’t release the steam little by little, it will eventually explode.

The recent suicides within the department highlight the need for improved mental health resources and incentives for officers to seek help when needed. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is already dealing with low morale and severe staffing shortages, with a shortage of approximately 4,000 employees in a department that should have over 17,000. Officers are working long hours, up to 70 hours per week, which adds to the stress and strain of the job.

This issue is not unique to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Police agencies across the nation have been struggling to recruit and retain officers since the Covid-19 pandemic and the death of George Floyd. The nature of their work, constantly dealing with people in crisis, takes a toll on officers’ mental health. Studies have shown that police officers have a 54% higher risk of suicide compared to the general population.

The resistance among officers to seek help stems from the fear of how it might affect their careers. There is a stigma around mental health within the police culture, which perpetuates the mentality of ‘sucking it up and moving on.’ However, it is crucial for officers to address their mental health and for departments to provide support without repercussions. Changes in behavior, appearance, mood, and job performance should be seen as signs that an officer may need assistance.

It is essential to understand that police suicides are not caused by a single factor but are often a combination of stress and untreated psychiatric illness. The number of police suicides is underreported due to the stigma around reporting mental health issues within police departments.

Former officer Omar Delgado experienced firsthand the impact of PTSD and the repercussions of seeking help. After the Pulse nightclub attack, he reached out to his superiors for assistance but was ultimately fired. His experience sent a message to other officers that seeking help could lead to negative consequences.

Finding solutions to address the stresses faced by law enforcement officers is crucial. Delgado suggests finding ways to release pressure regularly, such as quarterly or yearly evaluations, but acknowledges that the fear of being fired prevents many officers from bringing up their mental health concerns.