Policy Text
Policy
1038Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/20, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentWellness Program - 1Wellness Program
1038.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish the duties and responsibilities of the Peer Support Team.
The team will work in conjunction with the Department psychologist and assist police department
personnel involved in traumatic incidents. This assistance may cover a range of duties from
conducting debriefings with personnel involved in an incident, to providing comfort and assistance
to involved persons, and to explaining investigative processes.
1038.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Critical incident – An event or situation that may cause a strong emotional, cognitive, or physical
reaction that has the potential to interfere with daily life.
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) – A standardized approach using a discussion format
to provide education, support, and emotional release opportunities for members involved in work-
related critical incidents.
Peer support – Mental and emotional wellness support provided by peers trained to help
members cope with critical incidents and certain personal or professional problems.
1038.2 POLICY
The Department recognizes that traumatic events often cause feelings of anger, guilt, and
helplessness, which affect the mental and physical health of employees. These feelings are often
not understood and have an adverse effect on how employees perform their duties. In an attempt
to minimize these problems, the Garden Grove Police Department has developed a Peer Support
Team composed of department personnel, assigned the duty of assisting personnel involved in
traumatic incidents. The Peer Support Team shall operate under the direction of the Administrative
Services Commander and the supervision of the Professional Standards Lieutenant. The Peer
Support Team shall have ongoing specified training from the Department Psychologist related to
assisting personnel involved in traumatic incidents.
It is not the intent of this team to in any way hinder the investigation of officer-involved incidents.
Peer Support Team members shall make every effort to cooperate with investigators in their duties.
1038.3 WELLNESS COORDINATOR
The Chief of Police should appoint a trained wellness coordinator. The coordinator should report
directly to the Chief of Police or the authorized designee and should collaborate with advisers
(e.g., Human Resources, legal counsel, licensed psychotherapist, qualified health professionals),
as appropriate, to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, including but not limited to:
(a)Identifying wellness support providers (e.g., licensed psychotherapists, external peer
support providers, physical therapists, dietitians, physical fitness trainers holding
accredited certifications).
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Wellness Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/20, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentWellness Program - 21.As appropriate, selected providers should be trained and experienced in
providing mental wellness support and counseling to public safety personnel.
2.When practicable, the Department should not use the same licensed
psychotherapist for both member wellness support and fitness for duty
evaluations.
(b)Developing management and operational procedures for department peer support
members, such as:
1.Peer support member selection and retention.
2.Training and applicable certification requirements.
3.Deployment.
4.Managing potential conflicts between peer support members and those seeking
service.
5.Monitoring and mitigating peer support member emotional fatigue (i.e.,
compassion fatigue) associated with providing peer support.
6.Using qualified peer support personnel from other public safety agencies or
outside organizations for department peer support, as appropriate.
(c)Verifying members have reasonable access to peer support or licensed
psychotherapist support.
(d)Establishing procedures for CISDs, including:
1.Defining the types of incidents that may initiate debriefings.
2.Steps for organizing debriefings.
(e)Facilitating the delivery of wellness information, training, and support through various
methods appropriate for the situation (e.g., phone hotlines, electronic applications).
(f)Verifying a confidential, appropriate, and timely Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
is available for members. This also includes:
1.Obtaining a written description of the program services.
2.Providing for the methods to obtain program services.
3.Providing referrals to the EAP for appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-
up resources.
4.Obtaining written procedures and guidelines for referrals to, or mandatory
participation in, the program.
5.Obtaining training for supervisors in their role and responsibilities, and
identification of member behaviors that would indicate the existence of member
concerns, problems, or issues that could impact member job performance.
(g)Assisting members who have become disabled with application for federal government
benefits such as those offered through the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program
(34 USC § 10281 et seq.).
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Wellness Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/20, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentWellness Program - 31.The coordinator should work with appropriate department liaisons to assist
qualified members and survivors with benefits, wellness support, and counseling
services, as applicable, when there has been a member death (see the Line-of-
Duty Deaths Policy for additional guidance).
1038.4 DEPARTMENT PEER SUPPORT
1038.4.1 PEER SUPPORT MEMBER SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection of a department peer support member will be at the discretion of the coordinator.
Selection should be based on the member's:
•Desire to be a peer support member.
•Experience or tenure.
•Demonstrated ability