Policy Text
POLICY
182.0PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS/POLICE SHOOTING
REVISED: 11 /2011
REVISED: 5/2019RELATED POLICIES:
Reviewed and Revised by Chief David
Magnusson 5/2019
A.POLICY
El Portal Police Department police officers that apply force which results in death or
serious bodily injury or who respond to or are involved with significant traumatic scenes or
incidents frequently undergo serious stress reactions. These reactions can be detrimental
to physical and emotional well-being. In many cases, the stress reactions may not become
evident until hours or even days after the episode.
B.PROCEDURE
1.The following procedures will apply in all cases that result or may result in death
or serious bodily injury through the use of force by a Department Member.
2.Duties of the employee's on-duty line level supervisor:
a.Evaluate the emotional condition of the employee (in all shooting
incidents).
b. If it is determined that immediate counseling is necessary , The supervisor
shall arrange for an emergency consultation with a psychologist. If the
psychologist is not available, the supervisor may arrange for a meeting
with the Department Chaplain until such time as the psychologist is
available. the Chief of Police and/or the Director of Human
Resources will locate the psychologist assistance from another
agencies services if need be.
c.See that the employee is removed from the scene as soon as practicable.
C.DUTIES OF THE SUPERVISOR
1.Assign the employee to a non-public assignment for a period of not less than 72
hours, inclusive of days off.
2.Arrange for an interview with the psychologist in those cases where this was not
done by a line level supervisor.
3.Return the employee to normal duty after 72 hours unless the emotional state of
the employee dictates otherwise.
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D.DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
1.All reports or observations concerning the emotional condition of the employee
will be forwarded by memo to the Office of the Chief.
2.The following will be considered:
a.The line level supervisor's observations;
b.The initial psychological counseling report by either our psychologist or
the Department Chaplain;
c. The Bureau Lieutenant’s recommendations;
d.Any follow-up counseling or treatment received by the employee.
3.Once all related information is available, the decision will be made to:
a.Return the employee to full duty;
b.Continue the employee on non-public contact duty;
c.Require additional psychological counseling.
4.All reports concerning the psychological well-being of an employee involved in a
traumatic experience will be marked "CONFIDENTIAL ," and will be filed and
stored under existing policies in the Office of Internal Affairs.
E.COUNSELLING
1.In order to minimize the possibilities of problems related to this type of stress
every employee who causes death or serious bodily injury through the application
of force shall receive professional psychological counseling. Additionally, any
employee, sworn or civilian, who responds to or is involved with such scenes or
incidents may request or shall be offered the opportunity for counseling or critical
incident stress debriefing. This counseling is intended to offer professional
assistance to those in need. It is also intended to familiarize involved officers or
other employees should the employee suffer delayed stress reactions after the use
of force or exposure to a traumatic incident. Examples of a significant or
traumatic incident include, but are not limited to, the death of a child, multiple
casualty scenes or the death or serious injury of a coworker.
2.Employees who respond to or are involved with significant traumatic scenes or
incidents shall (note: acceptance by employee is voluntary ) be provided the
opportunity to speak to a counselor at no cost to the employee. This counseling
may be voluntary or if it is determined by a supervisor that immediate counseling
is necessary, the supervisor will arrange for a meeting with the psychologist. their
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associate or member of a recognized critical incident stress debriefing team . In
the event of a shooting, again, it will be mandatory.
3.In the event of a duty related shooting, once an employee receives the services of
a psychologist, the employee must have a written release from that psychologist
prior to returning to duty.
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