NEW YORK_New York Police Department brass worried over the suicides of nine cops this year have ordered mandatory anti-suicide training for all officers, the New York Daily News has learned.
The one-hour online course _ labeled "Shield of Resilience training" _ is the department's latest effort to find a solution to the crisis.
The training is to begin immediately, First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Tucker wrote in an internal message to all cops. After finishing the course, cops are ordered to meet with their supervisors to have a "mental health and wellness awareness conferral."
The training course, produced by the federal government, is geared toward police officers to help them better understand and address work and personal stresses unique to law enforcement, according to the NYPD message.
The training delves into how to recognize signs of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal thoughts and actions.
The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Some cops looked askance at directive.
"Do they not understand cops?" one sergeant said. "Either they won't want to do it, or cops on the streets won't have time to. Either way, it's just more 'Watch this and don't kill yourself,' without really addressing it."
Another sergeant said, "It's just like every other training the department gives: covering their ass, so they can say 'It's not our fault.'"
The most recent suicide occurred Wednesday when Officer Frank Echeverria, 56, a 25-year veteran, shot himself in the head in his Queens home. Department officials briefly took his gun in June, but cleared him and returned him to full duty in July.
His sister Eileen Echeverria told reporters she previously pleaded with the NYPD as many as 10 times to take his guns and get him help.
The day before Echeverria died, Officer Johnny Rios shot himself to death in his Yonkers home.
The department has also ordered up an app for cops' phones to allow them to easily report fellow officers they think are in crisis, and sent out a survey to officers asking how comfortable they are with the NYPD's psychiatric services.
