Maui police officer dies of suicide
Maui HI Aug 25 2020
Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu confirmed 44-year-old Officer Jason Thompson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound August 5.
“It’s not a sign of weakness if you ask for help. If you ask for help, your career is not on the line,” Chief Faaumu told KITV4.
Dr. Rampersad, who trained the Maui Police Department for five years, said Hawaii poses unique mental health challenges for officers.
“On the coconut wireless things spread pretty fast people have access to different information and so the trust might be a little lower to [seek help],” he explained.
Dr. Rampersad wants to raise awareness of resources available to first responders.
“The problem is that officers don’t know they can text blue to 741-741 and get anonymous help, or Copline or Cop2Cop” he said.
Chief Faaumu told KITV4 last year his department implemented the use of the “Cordico Officer Wellness App,” which lets officers anonymously seek help.
