PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, wow! Can an officer really experience so much negative behavior while on the job that he/she can develop a serious disorder which can manifest itself as totally unacceptable, or even as tragic behavior? Are they a danger to themselves or to others? Are more and more officers displaying PTSD? The answer to these questions is, unfortunately, yes.

During the past few months I have been researching this disorder and have found some sad-but-true instances in which officers have been hurting and have asked for help only to be told that their situations are, "Just part of the job." or that, "They will eventually be able to handle things better as their time in service increases." Some officers have been referred to a "Peer Counselor" or even a department "Shrink" but the peer counselors are well-meaning but inexperienced or the Department Psychologists are overbooked or not trusted. Many officers simply don't know to whom to turn. Is there an increase in the number of officers with PTSD? I think there is. Let me share a few true cases which I have personally investigated.They come from three different parts of the country. an S.O., a large P.D. and a Federal Agency.

Case # 1 -- An officer from a police department came up to me at a training session I was holding for his department. He asked me if I was taking on any new counseling clients. I never know how to say no so I agreed to see him after his shift the following week. I knew I wasn't going to be in his area very often, however, I would listen and make a referral if I felt he needed to continue to see a professional. This officer was having trouble staying in focus while on the job. His mind drifted even while he was investigating complaints. During the course of our conversation he told me he was beginning to worry about roadside explosives while on patrol. In fact, there were certain streets he avoided all together. He knew this wasn't realistic and that he was reliving his tour in Iraq, but he couldn't stop thinking about this even though he was back in the states. He was having more and more difficulty treating the public with kindness and he was beginning to withdraw from his own family. He frequently referred to his police squad as his "unit".
Do you recognize yourself in this story or do you know others who seem to have similar problems? What is your department doing to help those officers who are returning from the Middle East? During the next few Blogs I will tell you about some other officers who suffer from PTSD, what can be done to help people who suffer from this disorder and what you can do if your agency isn't being realistic in dealing with this situation. Stay safe, watch each other's back and WAIT FOR BACKUP.

Steve

Why Are Some of Our Society's Best People Suffering?

NOTE**

Today's blog will be similar to some others that I have written in the past. The reason for the similarities can be summed up in one word == STRESS!



As much as I hate to say it, more police officers die by their own hand than by the hand of the bad guys. As a counselor, I can fill blog after blog with my "war stories" however, there are some that lend themselves more to today's topic.



I was sitting in my office at the Texas Municipal Police Association (I spent 4 years as their State Director of Education) when my phone rang. When I said, "hello" there was silence and sobbing. Finally a female voice said, " Steve, I heard you speak at a seminar a few weeks ago and I was really moved by your dedication to law enforcement." I replied, " Well, thanks, but is sounds as if you are upset. How can I help you?" What she said next made chills go down my spine. " I am sitting here with my gun in my lap and I just wanted to say goodbye to someone who may be able to use my actions to inform my administration just how stressful they can make this job." It turns out that she was a Lt. in a large department in Texas and had been assigned to the narcotics unit. I won't go into the details of her problem, however, she felt trapped and could not see any way out.



Whenever I am sought out to hear people who need help I always think, " How can these outstanding people fail to turn to their own department for help. This officer expressed herself like many others have when they are contemplating suicide. She said she was JUST TIRED OF BEING TIRED ALL THE TIME. After she told me the entire story I could understand how she could get to such a desperate place. When people turn to me for help (and not enough do) I always ask them three things right off the bat, " Are you going to commit suicide so things will be better?" and "Have you formed a plan?" and finally, " Can you possibly wait 24 hours before you go through with your plan?"



I know I can't do counseling over the phone when the issue is so serious, therefore, I am trying to create a block of time when they will begin to consider alternatives and I am trying to get enough time to get help to them. Committing suicide so you can feel better does not compute. Feeling is only possible when you are alive. Solving problems and being happy is possible if you stay alive and seek help. Making a plan is indeed a red flag. I usually try to get them to tell me some of their plan and I can extend the amount of time I can talk to them. This story has a happy ending. I was able to get her to stay on the phone until I could call someone in her town that would drop everything and go to her (she was 4 hours from me even driving like cops do:)

She agreed to wait until she could talk to my friend and he was able to work with her over a period of time (at a very reasonable rate) and she is now an officer in a different department and calls me every Christmas to let me know she is O.K.



The true sad state of affairs is: Police are #1 in heart disease; Police are number one in hypertension; Police are #1 in diabetes; the life expectancy for most people is around 78-80. The life expectancy for cops is 59. The suicide rate for cops is 2-7 times the national average depending on whose research you read. Divorce in police families is twice the national average. 30% of police officers are alcoholics compared to 10% of other occupations. One veteran, hard nosed cop said to me when I was speaking in Chicago, " I contemplated suicide. I had shut down emotionally to protect my self and I didn't even know I was changing." Fortunately he sought help. The department had Psy. Services, but like a lot of cops they didn't trust the department and felt it would hurt their career. Finally let me tell you what a Ft. Worth officers said, " No one heard me screaming inside. "



Let your fellow officers know they can talk to you or someone. Hell, they can talk to me if they want. I honestly don't mind. When an officer is just getting tired of being tired, for goodness sake, call me and just dump what is on your minds. I'm safe, I won't ask your name and I don't care what time it is. If you want some ideas about dealing with "The Job" call me if you don't feel comfortable talking to people around you.

I don't know your Psy. Services people or your Peer Counseling people, however, I will contact them for you. Take care of yourself, we, the citizens of whatever city your in, need you. Remember watch your back and always wait for backup.

Keep me in mind, I'm always 10-08

Mr. G

The Stages of Sleep and You

A few days ago I wrote a blog about being 10-07 meaning take more time when you are off duty for sleeping. Since then, I have talked with my doc. and conducted a little research myself. Since I am aiming my blogs toward police officers and other emergency responders, I usually take information published by real scientist and spin it to fit the daily lives of those responders upon whom we depend for our very lives. Having spent over twenty years riding and instructing police officers (my research was in the area of "Stress Management") I could not help but see how their professions were very unique when compared to most other professions. There are similarities of course, however, when police officers and other emergency responders "hit the streets" they enter into a world that is different than ours. People respond differently to their presence, they personally experience activities that you and I don't even want to think about. Even though I tried to teach my cadets about dealing with this world in a way that helped them reduce their stress, I couldn't really tell them how to avoid repression -- shoving things you don't find acceptable back into your mind and pretending you are not affected by them. When they are busy answering calls and writing reports and serving the public they tend to focus on the job-at-hand and they don't think about many stressful or hurtful things that have gone on all during the shift. The difficult time may come when they go home and try to interact with their loved ones as if everything is O.K. and, probably the most difficult time, is when they try to sleep without thinking about the negative behaviors they encountered that night or that week. Without getting into ways to deal with stress and how to relax so they can sleep, I will talk about that after we all become aware of the necessity of getting enough sleep and what can happen if you don't. I mentioned the importance of "deep sleep" or REM sleep in my last blog. I really only touched the surface and may have even confused those of you who do seem to get by on less than seven hours of sleep each day. If you get a chance, look up the stages of sleep on the Internet. Then, apply each stage to your own situation.
While I was finishing my Master's Degree in Counseling, I was required to interview fifty students in both high school and college and fifty adults and/or their supervisors at work about problems that come about as a direct result of lack of proper sleep. Just about everyone agrees that the people who stay up all night studying for an exam frequently have a difficult time retrieving that which they studied because they are too tired during the test. You are sleepy, irritable, can't focus and are at a greater risk for having an accident or missing work due to illness during the days that follow.
My doc. says that a lack of REM sleep can possibly do brain damage since the deep sleep time is when your brain repairs itself. How many of you snore all night and have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea? I have and now wear a mask (similar to an O2 mask during the night that alerts my body to breath when I stop (80-95 times a night) breathing for a couple of seconds. If I were to list the stages of sleep, I would probably give you the same list that many scientist publish. In fact, underline this list in your red pen and lets apply these stages to your life as a police officer.
Stage 1 -- Drowsiness
Stage 2 -- Light Sleep
Stage 3/4 -- Deep Sleep & REM Sleep
The next time we meet I will review my observations of police officers and how sleep or the lack of it can impact their jobs, their personal lives and their health. If you have any stories to share or any examples to add to my blog please don't hesitate to do so. My Email address is: s.s.glenn157@gmail.com and my phone number is 512-282-3158 or 512-971-1918. Until then stay safe and remember -- WAIT FOR BACKUP!
Mr.G

A Time When 10-07 is Best

It has been awhile since I have had time to visit with the men and women in blue. I have ridden patrol several times since the last time I wrote. I am conducting my latest concern -- fatigue. Sometimes known as a lack of DEEP SLEEP or REM SLEEP. Of course we all get tired. I'm talking about the times when not getting enough special sleep time can affect your marriage, your quality of work and perhaps your very safety. The title of this article isn't about the Ten Code 10-07. It is about getting 7 hours of sleep every night. I know, many of you are saying, " I don't need that much sleep." I use to say the same thing. I would say, " I usually get 5 hours sleep each night and that is fine." " I'm one of those people who don't need 8 hours a night." I also use to say, " I'm not very friendly the first thing in the morning." or " I hate people who just bounce out of bed an act all happy and talkative in the morning." After two cups of coffee or more and a couple of hours quiet time I was just fine. When I was a teacher I use to try to get the first period as a conference period since I rarely had parent conferences and I had time to wake up. As I became involved in researching Police Officer Stress Management I use to ride deep nights, teach school all day and then grab a 4-5 hours sleep after the kids went to bed and think I was rested. The more I researched stress management the more I began to realize the importance of deep sleep or rem-sleep.
As I continue this series on the value of sleep I would like you to get a red pencil as you read along. From time to time I will tell you, " This would be a good place to underline in red." Those places are meant to be especially helpful for the people who make our lives safer and saner -- the police. I will sign off now as I am getting ready to take a young man to his first Police Explorer Meeting and then I am going to the house to try to get 7 hours of sleep :). See you next time when we will take a look at some of the research and how 4-5 hours of sleep a night may be putting you and me in danger, and, most importantly how you could even be doing damage to your heart. I'm serious officer! I didn't realize that until my doctor (who is a brilliant scientist) jumped in my face for not getting enough sleep. Please stand by for the good news if you change just a few habits. Until then I'm 10-08. Call me if you want to and we will talk about stuff .(512-282-3158 / 512-971-1918)

When A Baby Arrives

Wow! What a great day! Your baby has finally arrived and all the folks at the cop shop are happy for you (especially if you remembered the cigars - even the ladies will join in to help celebrate God's gift.) There is a lot of talk about a future police officer and you are saying " No way".
If you are the Mom you wonder about leaving the job. Should you stay home, will the job be too dangerous, will you show less aggression to the bad guys and worry more about your safety? On one hand you think, " I'm already trained and good at what I do so getting another job doesn't make much sense except for the hours." One big worry is, " Will I see his/her first tooth come in? Will I see his/her first step?" Can I teach him/her to walk or will my spouse or baby sitter get all of those thrills?" Will I be too tired when I get home to spend enough time with the baby?" If you are the Dad you have a lot of the same issues. One thing is for sure, there will be a football in the crib, boy or girl!
Will you promise yourself that you will take time EVERY day to listen to your spouse's stories and, maybe just as importantly, will you take the time to sit quietly and give your spouse some quality talk time. If your spouse has been talking "baby talk" all day, he/she needs to talk to an adult. Give up some of your stories and listen to theirs.
Remember the dates you use to go on? Get a sitter and go out to someplace special. The baby will change your life style, but he/she doesn't have to take the romance out of your life.
Take it from Mr. G. God sent us two miracles in 1966 and 1969 and we had many of the same questions. I think my biggest question was, "Will I remember to ask God for directions and not try to do everything myself?" My wife and I, along with all of you know how important your job is. There will be times when you worry about doing the "right thing". Sometimes you will and sometimes you won't. You have wonderful values or you wouldn't be a cop, trust them. As time goes on we will talk about your little gift as they go from development stage to stage. And while you are out there protecting and serving there are a few I hope you pay special attention to, yours and mine. Congratulations on being entrusted with your special gift. Now maybe you will wait for back-up! A special welcome to Little John Weary - way to go Kat & Brett!
I'm still 10-08 so call me anytime you need to talk - 512-282-3158

Take Off Your Cop Face & Relax

When a police officer is at the scene of a major traffic accident, trying to settle a domestic dispute, or questioning a witness they have to wear their “Official Cop Face.” They have to project that strong, authoritative, competent, professional image. When they do this all day long, it is difficult to get out of that role and become a regular person again. Along with the image is a certain amount of emotional recall. In order to maintain their professional posture they have to ignore their “real” feelings and keep them inside. To some extent, they have to stand outside their true self and become an observer. This serves them well at the scene. However, what happens when the layers get pulled back and they become just a regular human being again? How about the other facets that make up their true personality - the spouse, the parent, the friend, the church choir member, and the neighbor?

When officers enter into the role of Joe Citizen they sometimes forget to take off their “Cop Face”. This causes lots of problems, including relationship problems, physiological and psychological problems. In this article, we will examine the role separation problems and the stress that these problems can create. In later editions we will examine the effect stress has on the body and on job performance.

Many police officers have had successful marriages for 20 or more years and have had no more than the average run-of-the-mill physical problems. On the other hand far too many officers have experienced several unsuccessful marriages and experienced chronic problems with digestion, sleeping, circulation, etc. When both groups were questioned about their life styles, it was found that the officers with fewer problems are those who seem to be able to leave their cop persona at work. They had outside interests besides police work and friends who were not “in the business.” To people in other lines of work, this may seem like an easy task. For police officers, however, spending eight hours going from boring patrol to life threatening situations over and over isn’t as easy to forget. Cops tend to believe that the only other people they can trust, the only one who really understands them, is another cop.




They develop a cynical aspect to their behavior, which causes excess stress to themselves as well as to those who love them. One doesn’t have to be involved with the intricacies of law enforcement to understand what it means to be upset, or scared, or saddened by the things people do to one another. Friends and loved ones can talk about the officer’s feelings without going into individual situations. One officer had a best friend who was an educator. They rarely if ever talked about the disgusting details of police work. They did, however, affirm each other as valuable human beings and gave each other permission to vent when necessary. Sometimes, when they were visiting one another’s homes, they would agree not to talk about the specifics of either person’s job. They both had enough outside interests to carry on a decent conversation. There are a couple of things to look for in one’s behavior, which might be an indicator that they are carrying their job home too often. If they have kids, they should ask themselves, do they talk to them or interrogate them? Are they able to relax when they are out in public with their spouse or are they always thinking about controlling the situation? Police officers should have some friends who are in fields other than law enforcement and it is extremely helpful to have a hobby, some outside interest that utilizes their talents and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
The first task then, is for police officers to learn to relax, leave the job at the P.D. Develop outside interests and share them with friends and family.
Remember, law enforcement officers are an extremely important part of our society. The profession needs officers who are focused, calm, clear minded and well rested. It isn’t easy leaving the job at work; however, if they don’t learn to do that they will shorten their over-all time on the job.

See you next time.
Mr. G -- Still 10-08

School's Alternative Programs & The Police Part II

In Part One I talked about the kids we place in alternative schools and how many of them become problems for the police. Of course many kids become problems for the police for many other reasons, however, ask yourself, "Is the gang problem growing with younger and younger members?" "Are today's juvenile offenders more brazen and less afraid and better armed than ever?" If you are not sure, ask a cop or a parole officer. "How is the Texas Juvenile Justice System today?" "Is it Working?"
Officials, take just a moment to look into the records of your cases and see how many display the behavior of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and how many went to schools whose faculty had never had training in this field. How many kids that drop out are Reactive Attachment Disorder kids, kids who were physically or sexually abused at such an early age that they cannot attach themselves emotionally to anyone. "Officers, are they dangerous? Will they shoot at you?" Are Alternative Schools packed with these kids?
Like most of you, I was taught that I follow the orders of any police officer if they say, "Stop!" or "Come Here!" What do many kids do today?
Why am I bringing this up? I believe that many of theses kids are well within the window of reform if we change our alternative programs to be designed to address the above disorders and we teach the way kids learn best, not the way teachers teach best. Even though I am a retired educator, I still substitute in a wonderful middle school every day that I can and I know that the teachers for whom I have been a sub do utilize all major learning styles and many of the skills to which I have eluded in this article. I feel sure that many other schools do the same thing. What concerns me are the schools that don't address these issues. In future articles I will address "At-Risk" kids and why we are woefully lacking in recognizing them and helping them. To all the great cops and teachers out there I salute your dedication and applaud your courage. To the school districts who are only demonstrating in the enzone for public approval and not really addressing the problem I say GET HONEST! And REALLY do what you are supposed to do. Stop building hugh schools and create REAL Alternative Schools. While you are at it, take time to reward the teachers who are gong the extra mile and don't forget to say thanks to the police officers who are working to keep your school and your community at large a safe place to learn. Till next time I remain 10-08 - Mr. G.