Critical Incident Stress Debriefing for California Law Enforcement Officers -- 2001: What is the Future for Psychological Services for Law Enforcement?

• NCJ Number: 111030
• Author(s): T P Christian
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 102 pages
• Corporate Author: California Cmssn on Peace Officer Standards and Training
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; POST Media Distribution Ctr
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines 'posttrauma stress' as a major factor in performance and early medical retirements and discusses the future use of critical incident debriefing (CID) for law enforcement officers.

Abstract

The CID process is described, and its future as a 'megatrend' in the psychological services to law enforcement personnel is discussed. Various categories of critical incidents are listed, and methods to evaluate related information are identified. A modified delphi is used to formulate a cross-impact analysis, based on a 60-percent response rate, which provides a summary view of various impacts on trends and events. Three future scenarios, developed from cross-impact analysis of trends and events, focus on the cost of losing perspective about the contribution other factors make to organizational and individual health maintaining control over services provided to agencies, and continuing research into the causes of 'cumulative stress' retirements. Among eight recommendations listed in a strategic plan are that (1) a training program be conducted to familiarize law enforcement managers with CID and other related issues, (2) a committee of law enforcement managers be formed to evaluate the state of readiness and need for psychological services to law enforcement personnel in California, and (3) training programs focusing on early stress intervention, organizational stress, and mitigation be approved and funded. Tabular data and 34 references.