Secondary Traumatic Stress and Critical Incident Stress in Law Enforcement

Police have faced significant scrutiny due to highly publicized critical incidents, officer-involved shootings, protests, social media, cellphone recordings, and more. Involvement in critical incidents can lead to significant fear and shock for the officers involved. Using case examples, this panel will review the psychological impact of these events on police officers, their departments, and their families. The presenters will review signs of secondary traumatic stress and discuss evidence-based approaches to helping officers and their families following critical incidents. The panelists will also review trends in workers’ compensation and disability claims in Colorado that correlate with the increasing traumatic stress law enforcement personnel have faced in recent years.