Cultural Competence For Counseling Cops€¦ · Calls for Service & Shift Duties •Respond to...

Cultural Competence For Counseling Cops** Participant Handouts (basic information)**

** Presentation has additional graphics and video illustrations**

NASW-NC 2019 Annual Fall Conference

November 22, 2019

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 1

Presenter: Sergeant Gary Goodrich, LCSW (retired)

TheraCop.com or TheraCop@gmail.com

Focus of Objectives

• Cultural dynamics within law enforcement• Experience that impacts personal well-being• Evolution of mindset and career path• Common activities & LEO lifestyles• Stressors & elements to managing survival• Bio-psycho-social functioning and dysfunction• Practical suggestions for clinical providers

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Minimum Standards For NC Certification / Sworn LEO (12 NCAC 09B .0101)

• US citizen, age 20, HS/GED

• Good moral character (evidence-based)

• Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) & state exam

• Firearms training/qualification at employing agency

• No felony or disqualifying crimes or misdemeanors

• Fingerprinted & clean criminal background checks

• Personally interviewed to determine the applicant's appearance, demeanor, attitude, and ability to communicate…

• Truthfulness (often verified by polygraph)https://www.ncdoj.gov/About-DOJ/Law-Enforcement-Training-and-Standards.aspx

Medical & Psychological Examinations12 NCAC 09B .0101 (5) & (6)

•Physical evaluation w/ negative drug screen •MD, Surgeon, PA, or Nurse Practitioner

•Psychological evaluation•Mental & emotional suitability

•Clinical psychologist or psychiatrist

•Within one year prior to employment

Why BLET rookies want to become a LEO…

HELP

PEOPLE

Make a difference

Be apart of something greater

than myself

Fight crime & improve society

Help make my community safe

Family tradition or

dream jobGary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 5

Exciting career with lots of variety

Rookie LEO mindset

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•Helpers

• Enthusiastic

•Altruistic

• Role models

• Team oriented

• Save the world outlook

Veteran LEO mindset

• Suspicious & cynical from the reality of experience

• Motivated by daily survival & future retirement

• Aggravated & negative attitudes

• Realist with experience-fed pessimism

• Team oriented but untrusting

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 7

LEO Development & Evolution*

Training

Personal Attributes

Experience

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* Varies by jurisdiction, agency, community, individuals…

Training Galore!•Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) x6-7 mo

•Criminal & civil law, legal updates, juvenile & minority sensitivity, ethics, LEO survival, domestic violence response

•Firearms, defensive tactics & subject control, taser, ASP/baton, OC spray, driving & pursuit tactics, CPR/First Aid

•Rapid Deployment/active assailant response, investigations

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 9

Training Galore!•Wellness, bloodborne pathogens, safe workplace/harassment

•Specialty topics (sovereign citizens, gangs, terrorism…)

•Radar & other equipment certifications, Instructor certifications

•Special teams (K9, SWAT, Negotiator, ATV, Marine…)

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 10

New LEO Activities & Lifestyle Beginnings

•Complete BLET & Orientation with hiring agency/department

•Complete patrol training with Field Training Officer (FTO) before release to first assignment (often Patrol)

•Eager to learn/strong desire to build experience & skills

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 11

New LEO Activities & Lifestyle Beginnings

•Maintain professional appearance & behavior

•Demonstrate pride, knowledge & skill with issued vehicle, equipment & tactics

• Initially prone to live it & breathe it 24/7

•Maintain vigilance & use effective officer safety practices

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 12

Calls for Service & Shift Duties

•Respond to calls for service (dispatched calls)•Alarms, robbery, B & E, larceny, shoplifting, vandalism…•Disturbances, fights, abuse, domestic violence, DV violations, active assailants…•Accidents, juvenile/family issues, runaways, missing persons…•Animals/livestock, blocked roads, welfare checks…

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 13

Shift Duties (Calls for Service)

•Respond to calls for service (dispatched calls)•Noise & various local ordinance violations, civil disputes, mental commitments… •Death investigations & notifications for natural, suspicious, suicide, homicide… (Investigators attend autopsies)•Expect anything & everything!

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 14

Shift Duties (self-directed)

•Self-initiated activities

•Conduct proactive self-initiated activities when not assigned to active calls for service•Traffic stops, security checks, suspicious person/vehicle, license/tag checks, warrants/civil papers, disabled motorist…

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Shift Duties (Administrative)

•Case Management & Administrative Duties•Report writing, investigative follow-up, warrants, court preparation…•Upload & manage body worn camera files…•Meetings, evaluations, training…

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Multitasking Intensity

• Multifaceted simultaneous operations …• Safe driving & navigation • Using in-car computer / Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)• LEO in-car radio• Lapel walkie• Mobile phone activity• Changing call details via radio, CAD & fellow officers• Multiple locations, victims, suspects & witnesses…

• Days, nights, holidays & all-weather conditions… 24/7/365

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 17

Additional Performance Expectations

• Maintain a calm & professional demeanor

• Demonstrate friendly & polite customer service

• Thorough investigations for all criminal & civil situations

• Effective report writing, court preparation & follow-through

• Keep partners, supervisors & command staff informed

• Don’t get hurt or have a fleet vehicle crash!

• Don’t screw up for supervision!

• STAY OFF THE RADAR!18

Situational Awareness

Color Codes (Jeff Cooper)

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Rollercoaster Lifestyle with Rotating Shifts

Example: 2 weeks on days … followed by 2 weeks on night shift

• Days off may be spent in court or mandatory training

• Extra duty “hustle” assignments may be worked during time off

• Sleep is attempted with mixed results during nights offGary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 21

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

DAY 12 12 Off Off 12 12 12

DAY Off Off 12 12 Off Off Off

Night 12 12 Off Off 12 12 12

Night Off Off 12 12 Off Off Off

Fatigue & Complacency Dangers

•Fatigue from sleep deprivation & circadian rhythm disturbances

•Complacency fueled by repeated “routine” activities (e.g., stops)

•Repeated scenarios may fuel compassion fatigue (e.g., DV)

•Complacency increases risk to officer safety22

Rollercoaster Responsibilities & Hypervigilance

•Varying intensity of multitasking demands are often contrasted with periods of boredom or inactivity

•LEO must remain highly alert & prepared for sudden or unpredictable events

•Expected to swiftly & effectively resolve every situation no matter the time, place or circumstances

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 23

Rollercoaster Responsibilities & Hypervigilance

•Must engage in dangerous situations with known and unknown threats without hesitation

•High intensity & focus can be difficult to disengage off duty

•Situational Awareness & Hypervigilance are critical for survival

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 24

LEO Elements of Situational Awareness

Team/ Support

Equipment & Resources

Environmental Situations

&Surroundings

SELF & Abilities

Society/Culture Community

Location & SceneWeatherLighting

Time of DayResidence BuildingsVehicles

IndividualsAssociates

FamilyGroups

Weapons Substances

Criminal HistoryMental Conditions

MINDThoughts & Feelings

Mindset

BODYHealth & Wellness

Strength/Basic Needs

SPIRITAttitudes

Drive to Survive

RELATIONSHIPSPartners, Family

Friends, Co-Workers

Media & Community Stressors

• Negative news & social media impact • Sensationalized & impulsive reactive lacking facts• Law of public opinion “Forever guilty…no matter the facts” • Reduced LEO applicants, maladaptive coping & suicide

• Society/culture/community• Negative perceptions & distrust fueled by misinformed media• “Entitled disrespect” & misconduct by “justified citizens”

• False or unfounded citizen complaints• “Guilty until proven innocent”

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 26

Internal Organizational Stressors

• Structure & management vary by agency size, resources, location, political & cultural climate

• Authoritarian leadership / Hierarchy with Chain of Command • Necessary management structure to certain degree• “Paramilitary” may be conflicted with “team” approaches• Effectiveness subject to leadership styles, skills & abilities• Internal distrust “us vs them”

• Increased rank = decreased satisfaction• One of “them” in supervision

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Supervision Stressors

• Constantly under state of evaluation & judgment

• Recordings used for “training”, evidence & consequences

• Punitive “discipline” for mistakes or minor policy violations

• Fear of “trouble” (fear of failure) --> work to avoid mistakes --> performance decline & performance anxiety--> learned helplessness (can’t win) & lack of control --> Dissatisfaction & Depression

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Emotional Survival For Law Enforcement:A Guide For Officers and Their Families (2002)

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Kevin M. Gilmartin, PhD.

http://emotionalsurvival.com/about.htm

Hypervigilance Biological

Rollercoaster®

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Kevin M. Gilmartin, PhD.

Engaged

Disengaged

Hypervigilance Biological

Rollercoaster®

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Kevin M. Gilmartin, PhD.

Engaged

Disengaged

Hypervigilance Biological

Rollercoaster®

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Kevin M. Gilmartin, PhD.

Symptoms of the cycle (Gilmartin)

1. Social isolation at home

2. Withdrawal from non-LEO conversations or activities

3. Reduced interaction with non-LEO friends or associates

4. Procrastination in off duty decision making

5. Infidelity

6. Lack of involvement with children’s needs & activities

7. Loss of interest in hobbies or recreational activities• “I usta” syndrome

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Surviving the Cycle (Gilmartin)

• Take control of personal life

•Aggressive personal time management & goal setting

•Make time for non-LEO activities & people

•Proactive planning & prioritized off duty activities

• Engage in physical fitness & control finances

•Balance multiple non-LEO roles & activities

• SOLUTIONS & RESILIENCE IS ACHIEVABLE

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com 34

Common LEO Traits & Characteristics

•Persona of strength & pride•Do not want to show signs of weakness or failure•Avoid “feelings” but well versed in use of profanity•Distrusting, suspicious, skeptical, cynical, pessimistic•Guarded, stoic and assume “You won’t understand”•Critical thinkers, judgmental & opinionated•Often conservative & expect you’ll be a “bleeding

heart liberal” with critical judgements

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com

•Thin Blue Line

•Guardian Angels

•Protectors

• “Sheepdogs” & Warrior Mindset •Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Common survival themes & persona

What you may see upon LEO arrival…

•Vehicles may be marked patrol vehicles, unmarked units or personally owned vehicles

•Attire may be a full uniform, alternate styled uniform or plain clothes

•Regardless of attire or vehicle, LEO may either be on or off duty according to circumstance & policy

•Likely armed (open carry or concealed)

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com

Privacy & Confidentiality• Privacy MUST begin with the front office / check-in process

• Please DO NOT publicly announce our name or identity when avoidable• This is a risky breech of trust, privacy & public SAFETY

•Do not disclose our name, agency, rank or profession• We don’t want to encounter or engage with subjects we’ve

dealt with on duty

• Perception: We don’t want to be in a position of having to explain why we're there if uniformed or otherwise an apparent “public servant”

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com

Additional LEO-Friendly Office Practices

•Confidentiality must continue with agency billing & utilization reporting

• Individual identifying information should not be disclosed without informed consent.

•Consider alternative waiting areas and check-in/out procedures for LEOs

•Consider policy & procedure changes if you serve LEOs

Gary Goodrich, LCSW @ TheraCop.com

Resources to Strengthen LEO-Friendly Skills

•Books, blogs, articles & social media

•Relationship building & interface with local agencies

•Ride Along programs

•LE associations & organizations

•Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)

Books

•Counseling Cops: What Clinicians Need to Know-- Kirschman, Kamena, & Fay

•Bouncing Back from Trauma: Essential Step by Step Guide for Police Readiness – Gallo

•Who gets PTSD: Issues of Posttraumatic Stress Vulnerability - Violanti & Paton

•Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A guide for officers and their families – Gilmartin

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Questions & Contact Information

• TheraCop.com or TheraCop@gmail.com

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