The Nation - News from Dec. 15, 1986

Police departments should offer more support to the survivors of officers killed on duty, to help lessen the incidence of emotional trauma, a federally sponsored study concluded. The National Institute of Justice report cited research showing that two-thirds of the nearly 200 police departments surveyed lacked a formal policy on procedure following an officer’s death. Other research found that 60% of the spouses of slain officers developed stress disorders. The report urged continuing formal contacts between police departments and the families of slain officers, and making counseling available to the survivors.