Do the police ever need emotional support?

Question

I would imagine if they encounter something gruesome, they might need to talk to someone about it.

Answer 1

In the old days, not the present, getting any help was looked on as weak, I saw many an Officer get off his shift and put a gun to his head, Homicide included

Answer 2

Absolutely. There are psychiatrists and counselors all over the country who work for the state and spend their days with both police and criminals. If an officer has had to discharge their weapon, seen a body, or anything causing any kind of emotional stress, many law enforcement agencies automatically require that they spend time with a counselor following these events. It is to ensure that they don't get whacked out and go postal.

Answer 3

Of course, they are people just like me and you.

Answer 4

Yes, absolutely. It can be for one traumatic event or just a long period of built up stress and anxiety. Most cities employ an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and have councellors that specialize in treating police officers and fire fighters. And everything is confidential. Unless you admit to murder or being a pedophile, the city will have no idea that you even sought treatment.

I've been there myself and would've crashed & burned if that wasn't available to me. The councellor said he talks to all kinds of cops-chiefs all the way down to patrol officers.

Answer 5

Counseling is available for us if we need it.  I have seen rookies have a hard time with somethings.  As a supervisor I watch my people and if I think one of them needs to talk I usually call them in and talk with them.  If needed I can refer them to a professional.

We are human and despite the fact that some people believe we are heartless demons there are times when we've had enough.  I usually take a "mental health day" and do something with the family like take my son to the zoo.  I also exercise to relieve stress.

Answer 6

in the QLD police service we have several levels of support, starting with peer support officers who are usually operational officers who have been especially trained. The next level is the human support officer who are usually psychologists, and finally there are also the chaplains.

The funny thing is anything you say to the human support officer can be passed onto management. The Chaplains however remain confidential.

In answer to your question this poem was written by someone in the job and should answer your question

'I have been were you fear to be

I have seen what you fear to see

I have done what you fear to do

All these things I have done for you

I am the person you lean upon

The one you cast your scorn upon

The one you bring your troubles to

All these people I have been for you

The one you ask to stand apart

The one you feel should have no heart

The one you call 'the officer in blue'

But i'm just a person, just like you

And through the years I have come to see

That I'm not always what you ask of me

So take this badge, take this gun

Will you take it..... Will anyone

And when you watch a person die

And you hear a battered baby cry

Then do you think that you can be

All these things you ask of me?

Your question shows tremendous insight and an appreciation of what we do .... thanks

Answer 7

Yes, most larger departments now have in-house mental health professionals (Councilors, psychiatrists, etc).  Small departments may have those services available through health insurance or worker's comp. insurance.  

Used to be a lot of police and firefighters sought counseling in a bottle (whiskey or beer).  Hopefully not so much any more.

Answer 8

In Amsterdam-The Netherlands peer support teams offer support to colleagues, e.g.after shooting incidents or after finding dead bodies.

Psychologist are available too.

Years ago police officers were not supposed to experience stress, but Dutch police culture has changed: having emotional responses to horrible incidents is fully accepted and not seen as something "unprofessional".