NCJ Number
224254
Date Published
September 2008
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This paper identifies and discusses issues related to the reintegration of police officers into an agency after they return from deployment in combat zones as members of the Military Reserve and National Guard.
Abstract
The paper first reviews the psychological effects of combat, notably posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); the prevalence of PTSD; and the nature and duration of exposure to combat, which is one of the critical determinants of combat stress and PTSD. The discussion of the psychological effects of combat is followed by an overview of intervention and treatment. This includes descriptions of military interventions, screening processes, and treatment resources/approaches. One topic of discussion is the tendency of both military and police cultures to view mental health issues as a personal weakness and an inability to face and cope with danger with courage and manliness. Many police agencies, however, have come to recognize a need for mental health resources to the point of establishing psychological/behavioral services units and employee assistance programs. The paper next describes the reintegration programs of four law enforcement agencies--the Los Angeles Police Department Military Liaison Program, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Military Activation Committee, the Kansas City Police Department (Kansas), and the Richland County Sheriff‘s Department (South Carolina)--as they have addressed the needs of returning officers who have served in combat zones. Among its recommendations, the paper offers a checklist of questions that should be answered in assessing a department’s planning for returning officers. The paper recommends that, at a minimum, an agency should ensure that returning officers have information about confidential sources of help for themselves and their family members. Recommendations for research and policy development are also offered. 58 references and resources