Suicide by NYPD cop from LI predates start of new department psychologist

A psychologist solely focused on NYPD officers' mental health starts March 1, Chief of Department Terence Monahan said Tuesday, a day after a detective became the first city cop this year to take his own life following a record-setting 2019.

“This is going to be different than anything we have ever done,” Monahan told reporters, referring to the psychologist whom he would only identify as a woman. “Any decision being made is in the best interest of that police officer. I don’t care where she recommends them to get help."

The chief's announcement followed Det. Paul Federico's death by suicide early Monday afternoon at his mother's home in Queens.

Federico, 53, lived with his family in West Babylon, NYPD officials said. He worked as a community liaison officer for the department, meeting with a number of community groups and leaders, the chief said, referring to Federico as "a great guy."

The liaison position is considered key to the NYPD's effort to stay in touch with community residents and gauge the mood of their neighborhoods. 

“I didn’t know him closely but I knew him just from work at the various events," Monahan said of Federico. "He used to always be out … the community people knew him, especially people in Manhattan.”

Monahan didn't provide details but said Federico had personal and medical issues. Other officials said Federico suffered from conditions related to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The detective's personal troubles prompted the department to recently take away his service weapon, officials said.

“He had attempted to get help for medical conditions and … personal issues he was having,” said Monahan, an outspoken proponent of cops in despair reaching out for help.

The psychologist will maintain a doctor-patient relationship with any officers who meet with her, Monahan said, adding that she is expected to work separate from the department’s medical division. In the past, some officers have said there was a reluctance among cops to use department resources because of fear it would stigmatize them in the NYPD.

Last year, after a record 10 NYPD officers took their own lives, the department initiated a number of programs designed to help cops in emotional distress and stem suicides, which former NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill described at the time as a crisis.

Among the initiatives was the designation of 227 cops who volunteered and were trained to act as peer support for other officers. The NYPD also started “Finest Care,” a cooperative program with New York Presbyterian Hospital in which 92 troubled officers so far have been steered toward getting mental health assistance. 

Monahan said he didn’t know the outcome of the New York-Presbyterian program.   

“If even one of them was saved," Monahan said, "it was an outright success. … I don’t need to know where someone goes to get help. I really don’t want to know. Just get help.”

In a more personal effort, former NYPD Det. Matthew Hickey, a Suffolk resident, appeared in a department video last year in which he described his descent into depression and a close call with suicide. In the video, Hickey told of how a friend's intervention brought him back from the brink. Hickey also said on the video that he went on to recover with assistance from the group Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance.

“Whatever you are going through today can eventually be fixed again. You can get your finances back in order, you can get relationships back,” Hickey told Newsday last year. “You can get better. I promise you if you just try and ask for help.”

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.