Suicide Prevention A Concern Among California Law Enforcement

A study conducted by Los Angeles police department psychologists showed that officers in Los Angeles and San Diego have a greater chance of dying from suicide than by the hands of a criminal. Suicide rates by police officers in these cities are higher than their counterparts in other big cities, the study showed. The report indicated that 19 Los Angeles police officers killed themselves between 1998 and 2007, while only seven died in the line of duty during that same time period.

Kevin Jablonski, chief psychiatrist for the LAPD, cited the mental strain and anguish from policing dangerous streets as a reason for the high suicide rates. "When you interact day after day, hour after hour with either the victims of crime or the perpetrators of crime, you start thinking this world is dangerous, this world is violent. It's depressing," he said.

He also noted that more should be done to make officers aware of treatment available for conditions that lead to suicide, such as depression and alcoholism. Staff are planning a revamped suicide prevention program for the department that includes new training for supervisors to respond to potential problems, as well as cards and stickers directing officers to sources of counseling.

First Responders Save Lives During Flooding

With the recent flooding in the Midwest, first responders and rescue workers have been extremely busy coming to the assistance of those stranded in homes, motorists washed off the road by flood waters, and others. ABC News recently took a ride with the Missouri State Water Patrol down the Meramec River to witness some of the destruction. The Water Patrol there has rescued more than 100 people from their flooded homes. Some have chosen to stay, such as one man who had been living in his attic for days and declined the offer for rescue.

The National Guard has also been activated in several states to assist with transporting evacuated residents, providing shelter, supplying drinking water and executing other missions. In Missouri, soldiers from the 70th Troop Command have been assisting with flood recovery efforts in the communities of Marble Hill and Piedmont. "We have been moving families," said Capt. Tammy Spicer, a Missouri Guard spokesperson. "We will remain on duty as long as local communities and the governor need us." In Indiana, Soldiers and Airmen were equipped with 5-ton trucks and sandbagging machines, and were expected to support search and rescue operations and provide sandbags as needed.

The combined efforts of police, fire and medical workers, as well as military assistance and volunteer workers, has eased the suffering of many who have been affected by the rising waters. Flooding could remain an issue in several states over the coming weeks. With rivers already swollen, any additional significant rainfall could cause more trouble.

Supreme Court To Examine D.C. Handgun Ban

Oral arguments have begun in a Supreme Court case that could have far-reaching effects for the nation's gun owners. The issue at hand is a law in Washington, D.C. banning any ownership of handguns, with the only exception being for active and retired police officers. Other firearms are required to be kept disassembled or with trigger locks in place. The law has been in place since 1976.

The last time the constitutional right to bear arms was addressed so directly was in 1939. At that time, the justices interpreted the Second Amendment as primarily referring to a well-regulated militia. As a result, gun restrictions of varying degrees could be imposed mostly without consequence. During the recent oral arguments, however, it appeared that a narrow majority of justices were prepared to reinterpret the amendment as protecting an individual's right to bear arms. This interpretation would make it easier for gun owners to challenge firearm laws.

Critics say the D.C. law has done little to curb violence in the city. Although the homicide rate has declined since the 1990's, the city still ranks among the nation's highest murder rates. A ruling in the new Supreme Court case is expected to take place by June of this year. The case is District of Columbia v. Heller, 07-290.

Switching Sides In The Drug War

The political arena in the United States has had its share of colorful characters. Now another one is joining the fray in Texas, where former narcotics officer Barry Cooper is running for Congress as a Libertarian candidate in Texas. Cooper first made a name for himself in the law enforcement community, where he claims to have participated in over 800 drug busts and seized more than $500,000 in cash. He had a flair for showmanship, and a fellow officer noted how he liked to be photographed with the confiscated drugs.

Then, Cooper's viewpoint on the drug war began to change. He began smoking pot during the last three months of his law enforcement career, and said he started to notice that "the people I had been arresting were nice people." He turned in his badge, and was later investigated by the DEA for smuggling drugs out of Mexico. Cooper decided he would put his knowledge and persona to work by making a dvd called Never Get Busted Again, which was released in December 2006. The movie offerred advice to marijuana smokers on how to avoid arrest during traffic stops. The movie was greeted with disdain, but no major concern, from law enforcement.

Now Barry Cooper has released a new video, Never Get Raided, which teaches viewers how to buy, sell and grow pot without going to jail. It also includes tips for identifying undercover officers. Richard Dickson, who served with Cooper on a drug task force in the mid-'90s, said of the dvd, "Now that's getting a little close to home...that kind of information affects all kinds of undercover agents. It puts all kinds of operations at risk, even on homeland security issues."

Even some who favor drug legalization disapprove of Cooper's tactics; they feel the law should be changed, but that Cooper shouldn't be teaching people how to break it. Cooper says he is also working with a Hollywood studio to produce a reality show involving 50 people getting drunk and then a few days later getting stoned on weed, as an experiment to compare the two substances. He has said he hopes the filming gets raided by law enforcement, as it would make for even better television.