suicide by cop
Lethal confrontation sought
Suicide by cop is a method of ending one's life by provoking police officers into using lethal force.
The person typically brandishes a weapon, makes threatening movements, or refuses commands in ways designed to elicit a fatal response: Investigators concluded it was suicide by cop after finding the gun was unloaded.
The phrase emerged in the 1980s as law enforcement recognized the pattern.
- desperationUtter loss of hope
- shootingDischarging a weapon
- deadly forceViolence intended to kill
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- law enforcementUpholding legal codes
police · threat assessment · impulse · mental illness · mental health crisis · psychology · cry for help · death wish · hopelessness · use of force · officer-involved shooting · homicide investigation · depression · self-destructive behavior · media sensationalism · legal liability · trauma · social alienation
suicide by copoverdose
Harmful excess intake
hanging · jumping · poisoning · assisted suicide · euthanasia
suicide by copde-escalation
Reducing conflict intensity
survival instinct · self-preservation · will to live · talking someone down