MAY 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 5

DR. TINA JAECKLE blue

DR. TINA JAECKLE blue mental health Honoring Those Who Have Fallen: National Police Week 2022 When I originally authored this article two years ago, I watched with deep sadness as, yet another Texas law enforcement officer died in the line of duty on May 2, 2020 in a helicopter crash. Houston Police Department’s Tactical Flight Officer Jason Knox was killed, and Pilot Chase Cormier was critically injured. I prayed for the broken hearted and then I wondered how the grieving process would proceed in a time of continued uncertainty. It was a year defined by the introduction and devastating impact of COVID-19 on officers who died from related medical issues and the number of losses began to skyrocket in 2020 and ultimately peaked in 2021. As thousands gather this month for National Police Week 2022 in Washington, DC, there is no doubt that the significantly long list of officers to be honored this year will invoke strong, powerful, and overwhelming emotions. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, there were 472 officers who died in the line of duty in 2021, 319 from COVID related illnesses. The pandemic has literally changed every aspect of our lives and the question remains as to what our new “normal” will ultimately become. We are just now beginning to see some positive signs toward a return in human interaction without a mask and social distancing. Our nation’s officers, already stretched to their limits, are continuing to adjust to an even more unpredictable society. It has also impacted officer mental health in ways we did not think were possible. While both police and corrections officers have experienced similar issues with constantly rotating work shifts, irregular sleep patterns, exposure to trauma and violence, and the challenges of family-work-life balance, there currently appears to be some disproportionate implications for the corrections field. I have noted in recent months that correctional officers are experiencing significantly higher rates of anxiety related to return to duty after contracting COVID-19, especially in the workplace. This anxiety has led to additional post traumatic stress challenges as officers psychologically struggle to move forward following the critical incident of severe illness, and for some, the threat of death. However, far more law enforcement agencies have focused their attention and funding resources on assisting police rather than correctional officers. Many jail institutions lack appropriate mental health counseling for their correctional officers and much of DR. TINA JAECKLE this deficit can be attributed to difficulties in locating adequately trained clinical providers who are knowledgeable about best practices related to correctional mental health. Specialized training programs in corrections mental health should be developed and encouraged in graduate programs for mental health professionals. Additionally, both internal and external programs and policies designed to address these issues are absolutely critical in improving the overall psychological health of corrections officers and perhaps these lessons can be borrowed from police practices. Simply put, do not reinvent the wheel. One well known strategy that could be implemented to manage correctional officer stress is the establishment of peer support programs and it should be noted that there are a number of correctional agencies nationwide that have adopted this approach. Peer-support programs recruit workforce colleagues who can offer emotional and social support to those who may have experienced traumatic events, both on and off the job. These peers offer support and education to their colleagues to help them cope with the consequences of their stressors. However, in my experience over the last two decades training law enforcement critical incident stress management and peer support teams, I have frequently observed that the emphasis for programs is often placed on the mental health needs of police rather than correctional officers. Although there are events that can occur in the jail setting that can be considered traumatic for most (inmate suicide, attack on an officer, etc.) some are frequently overlooked or not assessed as a reason to activate a peer support team. These policies must be re-evaluated, especially as it relates to COVID-19. One agency CISM team can be comprised of peer members from police, dispatch, and corrections, however, true peer to peer support is most effective when there is a more comprehensive understanding of the job responsibilities of each role. In other words, much like police to police peers, correctional officers supporting other corrections officers simply makes sense. I honor all those who’s ultimate sacrifice will be remembered this month, but I had the blessing to know a few of these wonderful officers and their families, both personally and professionally. Clint Seagle (Clay County Sheriff’s Office, FL; EOW 8-29-21), Jason Raynor (Daytona Beach Police Department, FL; EOW 8-17-21); Derek Asdot (Green Cove Springs Police Department, FL; EOW 9-28-21); Lena Marshall (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, GA; EOW 11-8- 21), Daniel Watts (Jacksonville Beach Police Department, FL; EOW 9-1-2021), Jody Hull Jr. (St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, FL; EOW 8-21-21, and Joshua Moyers (Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, FL; EOW 9-26-21. You all are deeply missed. “When a police officer is killed, it’s not an agency that loses an officer, it’s an entire nation”. -Chris Cosgriff, Officer Down Memorial Page Founder. 106 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 107