Writers Tricks of the Trade Issue 2 Volume 9 | Page 15

Keith Bettinger is a retired Suffolk County (N.Y.) Police Officer. He’s been writing for law enforcement publica- tions for more than 25 years and has received 18 awards for his articles, stories, poems, and books. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Relations with a major in Clinical Counseling. During his career he received the de- partment’s Bravery Medal, Silver Shield Award, Meritorious Police Service Award, Special Service Award, Profes- sionalization Award, Department Recognition Award, five Headquarters commendations and six Precinct com- mendations. He also was a field training officer and an instructor on Post Shooting Trauma and Critical Incidents. Please try to understand and respect what our veterans who have served in terrifying condi- tions go through when they come home. Scenes like this should not exist, but they do. PTSD is real and so are their needs. W RITERS ’ T RICKS OF THE T RADE P AGE 10 S UMMER 2019