Law enforcement

Intentional killing of oneself. BJS recorded arrest-related deaths as suicides only if medical staff deemed the decedent deliberately took their life. The most common type of suicide reported to the Arrest-Related Deaths (ARD) program included decedents engaging in armed standoffs with law enforcement prior to taking their life. Other suicides occurred while law enforcement officers were attempting to apprehend the deceased, who committed suicide to avoid being taken into custody. Drug and alcohol overdoses were not considered to be suicides unless there was evidence the overdose was intentional. Unintentional over use of alcohol or drugs for recreational purposes were coded as intoxication deaths. Deaths submitted as suicide by cop were recorded in the ARD collection as homicides because the death was directly attributed to actions taken by law enforcement personnel.