NJ Cops | Page 84

A glimpse of hope … community support for police = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Recently town I had = = = = = in a= small = = in Middlesex = = = County = = a unique experience while providing a critical incident = = = = = = stress debriefing for Cop 2 Cop. While supporting the officers involved = Highland = = Park = law =enforcement = = = = = =in =a critical incident, I witnessed what real community = = = = = = = support for law enforcement could be. Even providing = crisis = services at Cop 2 Cop is strictly confidential, but the officers CHERIE = and PBA leaders encouraged me to share story when I explained how I was incredibly CASTELLANO this = Cop2Cop impressed. = To simplify the event, a crisis occurred that affected both Park = = the= officers = =and community, = = = and Highland = law enforcement did an amazing job amidst difficult circumstances, = = = = = = = = with both the = = Chief and = Mayor committed = = to expressing their support and gratitude. The Chief contacted the Cop 2 Cop line to ensure all the officers were = scheduled for debriefing and support, and both he and the Mayor came to the start of the debriefing to express how = proud they were of the officers’ heroic efforts and the Mayor began to cry explaining how “loves these officers” = much= the community = = and how much= she values them every moment of every day. My jaw dropped. They left the room and I was speechless, which = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = me. I started = the critical = = incident = = with is rare if= you know debriefing = = = = = = = = = = a question I had never asked: “What does it feel like to have a = = =amount = =of support = = = =The tremendous from= your community?” = = emphasizing = = = that it makes = = = answers were clear, mostly everything easier, they them cops, it is to = believe it makes = = more efficient = = = easier = stay motivated difficult jobs it is how = to = work through = = = = – in= a nutshell, = it is supposed = = = =to be. = = = = = = = In light with = of = =the= current = climate =across the country, = = =more scrutiny and criticism of law enforcement officers than praise and = = = gratitude, why is this such a rare phenomenon when officers SERVE their communities every moment of every day? = to Highland = = Park = Police Chief = Stephen = = = “Small = According Rizco, = = = = = = = departments are like families, so when I told Mayor (Gayle) Brill Mit= 2 Cop = taking = = care = of = the =officers, = = she= explained = = she tler I had= Cop = wanted to thank them personally. As a chief I understand that = I =responded=to =the scene I= should = = you = = although say thank and leave = officers could = speak = freely = = We = did a Cop so the in= your=group session. 2 Cop training in= 2010= and=learned about how = = = = =to support = = = each = =other and= the= feedback that= the =debriefing = = from my =officers was = = = was = = = = = = = CONTINUED ON PAGE 87 Treating PBA Members and Their Families for Alcoholism, Addiction, Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression & Anxiety disorders for more than 30 years Transitions Specializes in treating Police Officers for: • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Stress Management • Anger Management • Unresolved Trauma • Eating Disorders Transitions Recovery Program was conceived and designed by a retired Miami Police Officer with a passion for helping chemically dependent clients and their families. Admissions for qualified candidates accepted seven (7) days a week. Most major insurance accepted and a contracted provider for many Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO’s) and Managed Care Companies. Rehab programs use a combination of group and individual therapy, education, 12-step meetings and family support. Patients reside in apartments in a private, upscale gated community located in North Miami Beach, FL. Amenities include deluxe, furnished apartments, pool, Jacuzzi, tennis courts, and a new high-end gym with a fitness trainer dedicated to police oficers. Transitions has successfully treated almost 400 NJSPBA members and their families during the past 7 years. Contact person in New Jersey: Jerry Hartman, a member of the PBA Peer Assistance Response Team. Cell: 610-914-1585 Licensed by the State of Florida 24-Hour HELP LINE: 800-626-1980 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2016 (800) 626-1980 1928 NE 154th Street North Miami Beach, FL 33162 www.transitionsrecovery.com Transitions Has Earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval 84 =