Conn. police suicides prompt training conference

DAVE COLLINS

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Nearly 300 law enforcement officials from across Connecticut will be gathering to discuss strategies to prevent police suicides, an issue drawing more attention after four officers in the state killed themselves in a recent three-month span.

Central Connecticut State University in New Britain is hosting the conference on Wednesday. The Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement, a nonprofit group that provides police training on mental health issues, is running the event. The university and the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services are co-sponsors.

Alliance president Kenneth Edwards said police officers deal with human suffering nearly every day and sometimes need help with coping skills.

Studies show that about 140 officers committed suicide nationwide each year from 2008 to 2010.