Trauma Training for Police: The beginning of officer and community wellness

• In Event: POLWG Panel 17. Police Officer wellbeing, understanding trauma and risk mitigation

Abstract

As we try to re-imagine American policing, we must address issues inside of policing such as officer suicide. Following the lead of Pillar six of 21st Century policing, officer wellness is paramount for the police to effectively do their jobs. As we teach them 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