By Deacon Robert A. Baker, Sr.
CISM Team Member-Cop2Cop
State of New Jersey Field Representative
National Police Suicide Foundation
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a phrase readily and often mentioned in the same sentence as police work. PTSD is a word that is thrown around like a football. It is expected that you as police officers, are to deal with the trauma and the stress that comes along with the job. That badge on the left side of your chest just over your heart becomes a coat of arms. There is a belief that you cannot let it be known that you do not feel right emotionally. The job will put you out on a psych, take your weapon and look at you like you are no longer that knight in shinning armor.
What will other PO’s think? Will anyone want to be your partner? What is wrong with me? Am I defective, am I weak? These are just some of the things that will go through your mind, on top of all that trauma bouncing around inside you. The fear of having that armor of Super Cop stripped away makes you feel naked and vulnerable. You have nothing left to help you fend off the demons that now live inside you. Eventually depression will set in. You lose your feeling of self worth and you spiral down into a deep dark hole. This happens because you refuse to get help, you feel that you can beat it because nothing can hurt you. You are the protector.
PTSD should stand for “POLICE TRAUMA SEEN DAILY”. You don’t have to be directly involved in a traumatic event. If one of your brother or sister PO’s gets hurt you all feel it! A PO gets hurt 2000 miles away and you feel it! First you feel like you need to personally assist in finding the cause or the persons responsible for his/her death. PTSD usually refers to a specific incident that a PO has gone through. I think the definition above is more realistic. It sums up your life as a cop, you live stress every time you go to work not knowing if you will come home again.
A professor in Maryland is working on research for what she calls CCTS (Cumulative Career Traumatic Stress). As of this writing, research shows that 80% of the 673,000 law enforcement officers in the United States could display symptoms of CCTS, which is very similar to PTSD. CCTS is the slow and subtle deterioration of an officer’s psychological and emotional health. CCTS is the constant and continual exposure to traumatic events over the course of your career. An effected police officer will eventually take on a new persona. One closed mouth, drift away from family, friends and things that they enjoyed prior to the change. Divorce and family problems becomes an issue in a traumatized officer’s home. It is so important that an officer seek help, you will not survive without it.
If you, a partner, or loved one starts to show any of the following signs, they or you are in trouble and need help:
- Easily frustrated
- Very emotional
- Moody or mood swings
- Low self-esteem/putting ones self down
- Chronic tension
- Low energy level
- Memory problems
- Lack of interest in life and activities
- Excessive drinking (alcohol abuse)
- Headaches
- Giving things away saying they will not need them any more
There are many more and will manifest in a combination of signs. Bottom line is you ARE your brothers/sisters keeper! Getting them to realize that the need to talk to someone is paramount. In a case such as this that proverbial “blue wall of silence” is not the answer. Each one of you and your family members have access to the Cop2Cop program. A free service that provides:
- Peer support
- Referral to Police Clinical Network of providers
- Clinical Assessments for Officers & their Families
- Clinical Incident Stress Management
All conversations are held in strict confidentiality, I have heard stories floating around that Cop2Cop will notify your department that you are talking with them. These stories are untrue and have been traced back to other clinical services. Please make note of these numbers:
1-866-COP2COP (1-866-267-2267) The hot line is staffed 24/7 by retired police officers. If you have questions/concerns or just need to talk, you may also contact me at 201-726-4013, Nextel 175*1032*395, I am also available 24/7 for you.
