The Trauma Response and Peer Support Team :
Preventing PTSD and Enhancing Wellness in Peace Officers
By Lawrence N . Blum , Ph . D ., Clinical Psychologist , and Heather Williams , Ph . D ., Premier First Responder Psychological Services
In the wake of an officer-involved shooting , child murder , or other
critical incidents , the discomfort exhibited by officers is often palpable .
In addition to the weight of the after-effects of the incident itself , they are concerned that if they let on that they had experienced , for example , sensory distortions and distressed emotions during or after the incident , a psychologist could declare them unfit for duty . The danger of developing debilitating symptoms of PTSD is increased by their anxiety that , “ If I tell this ‘ shrink ’ what I ’ m feeling , there goes my career as a cop .”
These reactions to life-changing experiences are totally logical and “ normal ,” but this is difficult for mental health professionals to communicate . It requires that fellow officers and dispatchers who have gone through these same events , “ made it back ,” and were credible in the organization be utilized to change these counter-productive conditions .
The targets of trauma response efforts are the intrusive recollections and re-living of the event that continues well after the officer clears the call . It is not uncommon to experience serious , sometimes extremely disruptive emotional states tied to the moment of impact in the incident , continuing anxiety and uneasiness , withdrawal from normal relationships and activities that bring happiness , numbing , and alterations in how work is performed .
Trauma and Peer Support Team members who are trained in the use of a psychological first aid technique can lessen the levels of internal agitation experienced , normalize officer and dispatcher reactions to the incident , and provide post-incident strategies for recovery and wellness .
There was initial resistance to the use of peers in providing support to involved personnel in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events . Homicide investigators felt that trauma or peer support interactions would contaminate their investigation ( by potentially coaching officers on what to report ), and association boards feared the loss of confidentiality . In the early period of peer support , teams demonstrated their sensitivity to investigative needs as well as their commitment to protecting officer confidence . In addition , the frequency , severity , and duration of posttraumatic stress symptoms in involved personnel were strikingly reduced . The work continues , by whatever label that is applied , to helping those who serve the wellbeing of others .
Trauma response efforts continue to be a critical component in holistic efforts in law enforcement resiliency and wellness . Early intervention in the aftermath of acute duress is critical . Early intervention serves as an acknowledgment that it is inappropriate to wait until those who serve are scarred forever by the ugly moments of their work .
Encounters with traumatizing events are inescapable in law enforcement . But personnel do not have to be sentenced to a less happy , less productive , and diminished life . It is past the time when officers should not feel it safer and more expedient to just take the pain . Their own brothers and sisters stand with them .
Although past decades have shown resistance to wellness programs , there has been a cultural shift in law enforcement departments . Whether you call it trauma support or peer support the idea is the same ; to support personnel through stressful personal and professional times in their life and help normalize reactions in the aftermath of a critical incident .
Changing the culture includes giving law enforcement personnel permission to be human , to experience normal reactions following a tragedy , and understanding that “ It ’ s ok , to NOT be ok .” Law enforcement is a helping profession , however officers often struggle to ask for help themselves . The message should be the opposite ; Asking for resources to get help is a form of resilience and strength . ■
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