Trauma Training for Police: A View From a Northeast City

• In Event: Police Training: Trauma and Crisis Response

Abstract

As we try to re-imagine American policing, we must address internal issues such as officer wellness. Suicide is the number 1 killer of American police officers. The trauma officers face puts them in danger of self-harm, and greater harm to the community. Following the lead of Pillar six of President Obama’s 21st Century policing, officer wellness is paramount for the police to effectively do their jobs. As we teach officers about vicarious and community trauma, we must also address individual officer trauma. This presentation is an overview of an 8-hour trauma training for police and how to normalize asking for help as well as officer responses to the training.

Author

• Lorenzo M. Boyd, University of New Haven