INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (April 22, 2014)– In the wake of the unprecedented murder-suicide of an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department couple, the Department of Public Safety is months away from unveiling a comprehensive community health program for its employees.
“Here’s a culture we don’t it to be viewed as a weakness if you are reaching out for some help,” said paramedic and executive director of the Indy Public Safety Foundation, Nick Ball, who is leading the talks with six community health care organizations. “We had a meeting last Thursday. That was the night of the shooting so all of these health care organizations, I got emails from all of them saying, ‘Oh my. We cannot believe the timing of this and we’re here to help you right now.'”
Ball said the launch of the program is set for mid-summer and it’s intended for public safety employees who don’t want to participate in the city’s Traditional Employee Assistance Programs.
Last Thursday, Officer Kim Carmack was shot to death by her ex-husband, Sgt. Ryan Anders, who then took his own life. The investigation into the couple’s divorce, ongoing relationship, protective order and possible criminal and internal charges against Anders continues. Sources close to Anders family tell Fox59 News that the officer kept a diary that may shed led on what and who were involved in the final months of his crumbling marriage.
Police officers, especially those married to each other, present special challenges in counseling and investigating domestic issues. Law enforcement officers know the criminal justice system and the people who work in it and possess surveillance and security skills, and weapons, that can be used in a dissolving domestic circumstance. Sources indicate Anders knew he was facing internal and criminal charges that could end his career and possibly send him to prison and had gone weeks without a resolution.
“Do they need to be treated differently?” asked Spencer Moore, a retired IMPD officer married to a policewoman. “I couldn’t say that they do.
“We really need to learn from this type of issue and see if we can keep it from happening again.”
