Local News
“To our fellow officers and first responders: you are never alone, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength.”
A newly sworn-in 29-year-old Rhode Island police officer died by suicide last week after a battle with mental illness, the North Kingstown Police Department announced.
Brittany Dougal, of Cranston, graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy in late December and was sworn in as an officer in North Kingstown a few days later, the department said in a Facebook post honoring her.
She died March 4, survived by several family members including a twin sister, her obituary said.
After graduating second academically in her class, she joined the North Kingstown department and started in the Field Training Evaluation Program, police said.
“In the short time she served with our department, her field training officers recognized her commitment and the promise of a successful career,” the department said. “Our department mourns this loss. Brittany’s passing is deeply felt by her family, friends, academy classmates, and all her brothers and sisters in law enforcement.”
Dougal was raised in Danvers, Massachusetts and attended Framingham State University, where she played softball, according to her obituary. Before joining the academy in Rhode Island, she worked security at McLean Hospital and at Mass General Brigham.
“Brittany relished in her time spent with family and friends. She loved listening to music from rap to musicals,” her obituary said. “When she wasn’t working or spending time socializing, Brittany could be found working out at the gym.”
A visitation and funeral will be held for Dougal in Danvers next weekend. In lieu of flowers, family members are asking for donations to the North Kingstown Animal Shelter or the 9/11 memorial nonprofit Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Dougal’s memory.
The North Kingstown Department emphasized that “behind every badge is a human being.”
“We must continue working to ensure that no officer feels they have to face mental health struggles alone,” the department wrote. “To our fellow officers and first responders: you are never alone, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength.”
Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
