Mass shootings in Florida and Texas are reverberating across the Chicago area. They came up in some training for Illinois cops about a form of suicide.

Representatives of more than 40 police departments gathered at Alexian Brothers Medical Center, a hospital in northwest suburban Elk Grove Village. Clinical social worker Linda Lewaniak, who directs the hospital’s outpatient programs, led a session on “suicide by cop.” That’s when someone endangers others in an attempt to be killed by officers.

Lewaniak told the cops about a new Journal of Forensic Sciences study of 707 fatal police shootings.

LEWANIAK: Thirty-six percent of the shootings were characterized by “suicide by cop.” And “suicide by cop” cases result in either death or injury for 50 percent of the subjects.

Lewaniaki described some warning signs: The subject has given away all his money or possessions. He’s barricaded and refuses to negotiate. And he’s just killed someone or says he has a life-threatening illness.

Research suggests those who attempt “suicide by cop” tend to be men and that many have abused alcohol or drugs.