Utah Police Learn 5 Words To Save A Veteran

Are You A Combat Veteran? Five words that can save a life when a veteran is in such pain they want to commit suicide by cop. How long does it take to ask that 5 word question and is the time spent asking that question worth the life of a combat veteran? You bet it is! It would be great if every police department across the country had the same training but department heads are reluctant to even listen about what they can do to save a veteran's life.
Domestic violence issues of combat veterans are usually tied to PTSD and self-medicating, but they are treated like criminals instead of wounded warriors. Police responding to a domestic violence call could prevent a veteran from going to jail if they asked this question as well. They could get them the help they need instead of locking them up for being wounded.
While this question will not save all of them, it's a good start. Even if it saves one life, the question is worth asking.


Utah VA creating movie to help police deal with combat veterans
February 6th, 2009 @ 7:05pm
By Jed Boal

There's a training video in the works, targeting a troubling trend among American combat veterans. Some who struggle with mental health issues end up in deadly standoffs with police, and the state Department of Veterans Affairs hopes the video will do something to prevent it.


Here's the scenario: A recent combat veteran walks into a convenience store with an assault rifle. He orders the clerk to call the police and kicks her out. This vet struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and wants a confrontation with police. He may even want to die in a hailstorm of police bullets.

"These folks are still in combat mode. So as a result, they are more aggressive than someone might normally be," said Terry Schow, director of the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs.

Last year, at least three young vets committed suicide by cop. The Utah VA is making the video to better train law enforcement for those situations and these individuals.

"As they approach a situation, hopefully one of the questions they ask is: ‘Are you a combat veteran?'" Schow said.
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