Public Safety Trauma Response (PSTR)
KEY FINDINGS
- By all accounts, NYPD has taken a leadership role in developing a police preparedness strategy that includes prevention and intervention programs. Police officers are given the option to seek services from Early Intervention Unit and POPPA.
- NYPD leads the way in recognizing peer support as critical to fostering resiliency amongst police officers.
- NYPD leadership recognize the stress of police work, the need for peer and mental health support, and the importance of recovery. Seeking help is viewed as a strength and is encouraged.
- Confidentiality, privacy, and location are key to encouraging officers to get help early and may offset effects of day-to-day and traumatic stress.
- Continuing outreach efforts to help educate officers about normal reactions to police stress is key. Using internal and external peer programs to accomplish those outreach efforts can help address police stress.
- Beginning in the Academy, outreach and education are paramount for the duration of an officer’s career, regardless of rank.
- Police officers - smart, resourceful, and multi-talented - have the greatest chance for ending stigma with fellow officers regarding help-seeking.
- Police officers can and should play a significant role, formally or informally, in raising awareness of police stress and promoting the importance of help-seeking.
- The nation's police departments can learn from the NYPD’s
example on developing peer support programs and related
strategies for combating predictable yet treatable symptoms in
police officers. - Key elements of an effective peer support approach include a menu of options for officers, including an internal and external program that facilitates choice and utilization.
For an overview of study, please click here.