Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

TPS member or a group of TPS members involved in a traumatic critical incident, to
assess the need for further assistance. This session is no longer than 30 minutes, and is
normally led by two Peer Support Volunteers. Attendance is mandatory, but
participation in the discussion is voluntary. One of the TPS psychologists may also
attend these “defusing sessions.” 17
34. A few days later, Service members take part in a more formal “debriefing
session.”At this session, which lasts over two hours, Service members discuss their
reactions to the traumatic event, in confidence, with a TPS in-house psychologist and
CIRT members. In light of the investigatory mandate of the Special Investigations Unit
(SIU) and the fact that the psychologists can be subject to a subpoena in a criminal
proceeding, the facts of the traumatic event itself are not discussed at these sessions.
However, members discuss any stresses they are feeling or symptoms they are
experiencing, and strategies to manage them. Most often, a TPS in-house psychologist
will lead this session. 18
35. Keeping in mind that almost any traumatic event has potential to cause stress to
an officer and to affect that officer’s ability to function professionally or personally,
supervisory officers are required to assess each traumatic critical incident to determine
the appropriate level of support needed. If an officer requests the assistance of the
Critical Incident Response Team, the CIRT must be contacted by a supervisor. 19 Followup
sessions and medical referrals are made on a case-by-case basis.
36. It is notable that officers in supervisory roles and officers’ peers are required to
assist and support a fellow officer in response to critical incident stress, 20 but that there
is no similar express requirement where an officer is experiencing a mental health
problem that is not directly linked to a specific traumatic incident, unless it raises fitness
for duty concerns, discussed below.
4. Other forms of peer support
37. In addition to the CIRT, the Service fosters the growth of internal peer support
networks among its officers. Procedure 14-18 “Internal Support Network (ISN)” sets out
the framework for the establishment and operation of these peer support groups. 21 ISNs
are “voluntary self-support networks designed to help specific, self-identified groups
share information and experiences, and provide mentoring and guidance so that
members can develop personally and professionally.” 22 ISNs can be based on any of the
grounds covered by the Ontario Human Rights Code, any other approved affiliation, or
any combination thereof. 23
17
TPS, “Procedure 08-04,” supra note 14 at Appendix “A”: Critical Incident Stress Handout.
18
Ibid. In cases where the mandate of the Special Investigations Unit has been invoked, a psychologist always leads this debriefing.
19
Id. at 3.
20
Id. at 6.
21
Toronto Police Service, Procedure 14-18 “Internal Support Network (ISN)” (Toronto, ON: Toronto Police Service, 2013).
22
Id. at 1.
23
Ibid.
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