go-90.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Peer Support Program CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on file Proudly Polici ng Since 1841 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 90 02/26/2025 N/A 8 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES FS 111.09, Peer support for first responders General Order 54, Stress Management General Order 73, Chaplain Program General Order 90, Wellness Program KEY WORD INDEX Confidentiality Procedure III Incident Activation Procedure IV Member Qualification, Selection, and Removal Procedure V Other Agency Assists Procedure VI Responsibilities of Peer Support Program Members Procedure II Services Offered and Access Procedure I Training Procedure VII POLICY The Department acknowledges that members are often exposed to traumatic events that can lead to mental and emotional distress. The Department will provide the opportunity to receive confidential resources of support and assistance through times of personal and professional distress. DEFINITIONS Affiliated First Responder Organization: Organizations including, but not limited to regularly organized volunteer firefighting departments or associations, regularly organized volunteer ambulance services, combination fire departments, as that term is defined in FS 633.135(1). Critical Incident: An unusual occurrence, whether accidental, natural, or intentionally caused, which results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the public or substantial\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT damage to or loss of property. Examples include, but are not limited to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, civil disturbances, active threats (active shooter), explosions, major fires, and aircraft or train accidents. First Responder Peer: A person who is not a health care practitioner, has experience working as or with a first responder, including active, volunteer, and retired first responders, regarding any physical or emotional conditions or issues associated with the first responder’s employment. This person has designated by the first responder’s employing agency or affiliated first responder organization to provide peer support as provided in this section and has received training for this purpose, per FS 111.09 Peer Support: The provision of physical, moral, or emotional support to a first responder by a first responder peer for the purpose of addressing physical or emotional conditions or other issues associated with being a first responder. Peer Support Communication: Electronic, oral, or written communication, made with a mutual expectation of confidentiality while a team member is providing peer support in his or her official capacity. Peer Support Team: A group of Department members with specialized training who lend support to Department members experiencing trauma and/or stress in their personal and/or professional lives. Peer Support Team Member (Team Member): An officer, civilian employee, or volunteer of the Department who has been trained in peer support skills and has been selected for the Peer Support Team. Peer Team Lead: Approved by the Team Facilitator, the Team Lead will provide consultation and support to team members as needed, and any other duties asked by the Team Facilitator to support team success. Team Facilitator: The Behavioral Wellness Coordinator serves as the Team Facilitator. The facilitator shall oversee program logistics and sustainment, and will coordinate peer team activation for critical incidents, and daily program logistics. They will provide consultation and support to the Team Leads and team members, as needed. Assume any other duties necessary including training and collecting monthly utilization data. The Team Facilitator should be a licensed mental health professional who is qualified to provide consultation to the Peer Support Team. PROCEDURES I. SERVICES OFFERED AND ACCESS A. The support services offered through the peer support program shall include, but are not limited to: GENERAL ORDER 90 PAGE 2 of 8 PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM FEBRUARY 26, 2025\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Mental and emotional support through one-on-one discussions, 2. Pre-incident education, 3. Spousal/significant other support, 4. Referral support, 5. On-scene support, and 6. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing B. The Peer Support Team remains bound by its training and commitment to make decisions in the best interest of the members of the department. Peer Support is not a substitute for psychotherapy. C. Whenever possible, on-duty Team Members will be called before any off-duty Team Members are authorized to be called in. D. Any member may access the Peer Support Team (PST). The Team Facilitator or Team Leaders will be available for crisis consultation and/or response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A member may access the Peer Support Team by the following methods: 1. Self-referral – A member may recognize the need for assistance and choose a specific team member to reach out to. An up-to-date Peer Support Team Member list is available on the TPD SharePoint page. 2. Indirect Referral – A concerned colleague, supervisor, family member, or friend may communicate to the Peer Support Team Facilitator, or Peer Support Team Lead for a Peer member to reach out. E. Regardless of the method of referral, Team Members are required to contact the referred member within 24 hours of the request unless there are extenuating circumstances approved by the Team Facilitator. II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM MEMBERS A. Team Facilitator 1. Functions as the primary liaison between Team Members and the Chief of Police or designee. GENERAL ORDER 90 PAGE 3 of 8 PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM FEBRUARY 26, 2025\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2. Maintains records of current Team Members and continuously seeks out those employees who would qualify as a Team Member. The records are to be kept secured at all times. 3. A supervisor may call on the Team Facilitator to ask advice or for contact information for referral of an employee to a Team Member B. Team Lead 1. Works in partnership with the Team Facilitator to coordinate activation for critical incidents, 2. Provides Consultation and support to Team Members as needed, 3. May facilitate Peer Support training and provide consult to other Team Members, 4. Assumed any other duties deemed necessary to support the program and team. C. Team Member 1. Provide short-term supportive assistance and or referral within the scope of their ability, knowledge and training, and may make additional referral for assistance when deemed appropriate. 2. Team Members will notify participants seeking assistance that they are not exempt from laws, rules, regulations, directives or orders, but that any exchange of information not in violation of the above will remain confidential. 3. Participants will be advised that any acts or threats of self-injury or injury to others cannot go unreported. Any other party seeking information about discussions shared between a participant and a Team Member will be informed that such information is confidential. 4. Team Members will maintain contact with the Team Facilitator regarding program activities and statistical contact data for purposes of program evaluation. Team Members will maintain a confidential record of types of incidents reported for the purposes of determining the best resources that can be provided to help Department employees. GENERAL ORDER 90 PAGE 4 of 8 PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM FEBRUARY 26, 2025\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT III. CONFIDENTIALITY A. The Peer Support Program is a confidential program for all members. B. Any first responder utilizing this program is entitled to the confidentiality provided by FS 111.09: A first responder peer may not divulge information from or testify about a peer support communication in a civil, criminal, administrative, or disciplinary proceeding, unless: 1. The first r