"Suicide by cop" is a method occasionally reported in the news media, and to an extent in popular culture (e.g. the song by Heems). The emergence of the phenomenon of "swatting", where people call in a hoax threat, as well as high-profile police shootings, may have increased interest in this method. However, it is not an exaggeration to call it "extremely unreliable", coupled with some of the greatest risks for bad outcomes in the event of survival, as well as presenting serious ethical concerns. According to a study in Los Angeles, only about 1% of people who attempt suicide by cop succeed. Another estimate was one in sixty. Increased public awareness of this method is more than matched by increase police awareness, with police increasingly being trained to recognise and de-escalate these situations.
If you are considering this method, don't feel bad: you are experiencing a state of mind that impairs your reasoning. However, I would strongly advise against this method in all circumstances.
In this post, I will set out three stages of a suicide by cop attempt (finding an armed officer, provoking a shooting, and survival), and the considerations at each stage. I will try to cover everything I considered when contemplating this method, and why it was a bad idea, either practically or morally or both.
Finding an officer
The chances of encountering a police officer with a gun will vary dramatically depending on where you live, with more police officers in densely-populated areas and fewer in rural areas. Additionally, in some countries, it is normal for police to be armed, while in others, it is very rare. In those countries, you might be able to reliably find armed police in places like government buildings, airports, major train stations, or places with an increased risk of terrorism.
Another option is calling the police on yourself. Not only is this fairly unlikely to work (you need to fool the dispatcher into thinking a serious crime is underway and lives are at risk - they're more likely to think you are suicidal and send an ambulance), it poses ethical dilemmas: it occupies a dispatcher, and it might divert armed police away from an emergency situation.
Provoking a shooting
This is basically guaranteed to involve breaking a law, and is unlikely to work.
Police will have their own "rules of engagement". Generally, they are only supposed to use lethal force in order to protect themselves or the public. This will mean you will need to convince them you are genuinely about to use a deadly weapon. Shouting "shoot me!" while just waving a toy gun around will probably get you marked as suicidal rather than dangerous. In many countries, possessing a deadly weapon in public is illegal, and in basically all, brandishing it threateningly is, especially if you cause someone to fear for their safety. There is a risk of being arrested before you get a chance to carry out your attempt, with resulting criminal repercussions.
You could try using something that looks like a weapon, but isn't. This could still carry criminal sanctions, especially as you need to convince the police that you are a genuine and immediate threat to themselves or others.
You could attempt to grab an officer's weapon, counting on another officer to shoot you. This is also illegal. Additionally, other officers are less likely to shoot if you are stood right in front of their colleague.
If you are confronting a police officer in a public space, there is likely to be multiple members of the public nearby. You risk causing these people to panic, or causing them to be hit by stray bullets.
You could try to convince the officers you have a political motive. The stereotypical way would be by shouting "Allah akhbar" ("God is great"), but other slogans could have a similar effect, especially those associated with deadly violence ("Heil Hitler" etc.), or if the officers are guarding a government building. However, this could 1) increase panic among bystanders, 2) unfairly increase fear of the group you are falsely representing, 3) unfairly cause a backlash against the ideology, or 4) if it is discovered you are not really a follower, it could add credence to conspiracy theories about "false flag" attacks. Additionally, a political motive would be an aggravating factor in a sentencing hearing.
In general, police are more likely to shoot you if: 1) you are perceived to be a member of a racialised minority group, 2) you are perceived to be a follower of a demonised religion (in the West, this will usually only mean Islam), and 3) if you are perceived to be a man.
Surviving the incident
There is about a 99% chance you will not be shot, and even if you are shot, there is a good chance (~30%) you will live. Police officers will generally be trained to shoot for your centre of mass, your abdomen, rather than your head. This can of course be fatal, but it can also often be treated. You may have organ damage, or if a bullet hit your spine, you may be paralysed.
There is around a high chance that you will experience less-than-lethal force. Being tased is painful, pepper spray is painful, even being forcibly restrained and handcuffed is painful.
I cannot say with any certainty how likely it is that you will face criminal prosecution for your actions. However, you will certainly have broken the law, so it is a serious risk. While you may be found to have diminished responsibility, or be unable to stand trial, a strong prosecutor will probably be able to argue that your plan showed that you were aware of the consequences of your actions - you had deliberately caused a police officer to fear for their safety or the safety of others. It may nonetheless be decided that prosecution is not in the public interest, but that cannot be guaranteed, and in some jurisdictions the use of a firearm (even a fake firearm) against the police basically guarantees a long sentence. See here.
People have received decades in prison for making hoax police calls that resulted in loss of life, and you could conceivably receive a similar sentence if your reckless actions led to a loss of life. There is a chance that you could cause a bystander to be hit by a stray bullet, or suffer a heart attack. You would have that on your conscience. You might also cause people - the officers or the bystanders - to have mental health issues including PTSD. In some places, such as California, you would be liable for the costs of a hoax call, if you chose that - this could be up to $10,000.
You will find it harder to commit suicide in prison. There are, of course, many other downsides to being incarcerated.
Case Study
I hope it doesn't need saying why it is wrong to actually open fire or endanger other people as part of your attempt.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com
In this extreme case, a 65-year-old man shot two police officers, who were unharmed due to their bulletproof vests, before being shot himself. He was charged with offences include aggravated assault and assaulting a police officer. Unrelated, he was charged with various offences related to child abuse after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old.
Conclusion
Suicide by cop very rarely works. If you survive, you are likely to face criminal charges, as well as having to live with other consequences such as injuries or knowledge that you hurt others. Please do not choose this method.
If you are considering this method, don't feel bad: you are experiencing a state of mind that impairs your reasoning. However, I would strongly advise against this method in all circumstances.
In this post, I will set out three stages of a suicide by cop attempt (finding an armed officer, provoking a shooting, and survival), and the considerations at each stage. I will try to cover everything I considered when contemplating this method, and why it was a bad idea, either practically or morally or both.
Finding an officer
The chances of encountering a police officer with a gun will vary dramatically depending on where you live, with more police officers in densely-populated areas and fewer in rural areas. Additionally, in some countries, it is normal for police to be armed, while in others, it is very rare. In those countries, you might be able to reliably find armed police in places like government buildings, airports, major train stations, or places with an increased risk of terrorism.
Another option is calling the police on yourself. Not only is this fairly unlikely to work (you need to fool the dispatcher into thinking a serious crime is underway and lives are at risk - they're more likely to think you are suicidal and send an ambulance), it poses ethical dilemmas: it occupies a dispatcher, and it might divert armed police away from an emergency situation.
Provoking a shooting
This is basically guaranteed to involve breaking a law, and is unlikely to work.
Police will have their own "rules of engagement". Generally, they are only supposed to use lethal force in order to protect themselves or the public. This will mean you will need to convince them you are genuinely about to use a deadly weapon. Shouting "shoot me!" while just waving a toy gun around will probably get you marked as suicidal rather than dangerous. In many countries, possessing a deadly weapon in public is illegal, and in basically all, brandishing it threateningly is, especially if you cause someone to fear for their safety. There is a risk of being arrested before you get a chance to carry out your attempt, with resulting criminal repercussions.
You could try using something that looks like a weapon, but isn't. This could still carry criminal sanctions, especially as you need to convince the police that you are a genuine and immediate threat to themselves or others.
You could attempt to grab an officer's weapon, counting on another officer to shoot you. This is also illegal. Additionally, other officers are less likely to shoot if you are stood right in front of their colleague.
If you are confronting a police officer in a public space, there is likely to be multiple members of the public nearby. You risk causing these people to panic, or causing them to be hit by stray bullets.
You could try to convince the officers you have a political motive. The stereotypical way would be by shouting "Allah akhbar" ("God is great"), but other slogans could have a similar effect, especially those associated with deadly violence ("Heil Hitler" etc.), or if the officers are guarding a government building. However, this could 1) increase panic among bystanders, 2) unfairly increase fear of the group you are falsely representing, 3) unfairly cause a backlash against the ideology, or 4) if it is discovered you are not really a follower, it could add credence to conspiracy theories about "false flag" attacks. Additionally, a political motive would be an aggravating factor in a sentencing hearing.
In general, police are more likely to shoot you if: 1) you are perceived to be a member of a racialised minority group, 2) you are perceived to be a follower of a demonised religion (in the West, this will usually only mean Islam), and 3) if you are perceived to be a man.
Surviving the incident
There is about a 99% chance you will not be shot, and even if you are shot, there is a good chance (~30%) you will live. Police officers will generally be trained to shoot for your centre of mass, your abdomen, rather than your head. This can of course be fatal, but it can also often be treated. You may have organ damage, or if a bullet hit your spine, you may be paralysed.
There is around a high chance that you will experience less-than-lethal force. Being tased is painful, pepper spray is painful, even being forcibly restrained and handcuffed is painful.
I cannot say with any certainty how likely it is that you will face criminal prosecution for your actions. However, you will certainly have broken the law, so it is a serious risk. While you may be found to have diminished responsibility, or be unable to stand trial, a strong prosecutor will probably be able to argue that your plan showed that you were aware of the consequences of your actions - you had deliberately caused a police officer to fear for their safety or the safety of others. It may nonetheless be decided that prosecution is not in the public interest, but that cannot be guaranteed, and in some jurisdictions the use of a firearm (even a fake firearm) against the police basically guarantees a long sentence. See here.
People have received decades in prison for making hoax police calls that resulted in loss of life, and you could conceivably receive a similar sentence if your reckless actions led to a loss of life. There is a chance that you could cause a bystander to be hit by a stray bullet, or suffer a heart attack. You would have that on your conscience. You might also cause people - the officers or the bystanders - to have mental health issues including PTSD. In some places, such as California, you would be liable for the costs of a hoax call, if you chose that - this could be up to $10,000.
You will find it harder to commit suicide in prison. There are, of course, many other downsides to being incarcerated.
Case Study
I hope it doesn't need saying why it is wrong to actually open fire or endanger other people as part of your attempt.
Man to be Charged After 'Suicide by Cop' Attempt, Officials Say
The DA's office is charging a 65-year-old man with multiple counts of aggravated assault and assault of a law enforcement officer after he fired a gun at officers during a barricade situation in Germantown.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com
In this extreme case, a 65-year-old man shot two police officers, who were unharmed due to their bulletproof vests, before being shot himself. He was charged with offences include aggravated assault and assaulting a police officer. Unrelated, he was charged with various offences related to child abuse after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old.
Conclusion
Suicide by cop very rarely works. If you survive, you are likely to face criminal charges, as well as having to live with other consequences such as injuries or knowledge that you hurt others. Please do not choose this method.
