ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q1-2025

Continued from "From Conflict to Care", on page 13

officers are often the first on the scene. Once scene security is managed, there is frequently a wait for emergency medical services to arrive. During this gap in time, which can exceed ten minutes in many locations, police officers are often criticized for not acting to provide medical aid, despite having the opportunity to do so. Unfortunately, many officers often do not have the equipment or training to do so effectively, leaving them powerless and vulnerable to assumptions that the injured individual’s life holds little value to them, furthering negative perceptions. These negative perceptions are amplified when captured by photo or video and circulated to the masses via social media. Additionally, being unable or untrained to assist can have significant psychological impacts on officers, furthering the risk of post-traumatic stress injuries and eventually PTSD. Combined, these circumstances can create the perfect storm of physical and psychological injury to both the community and the police, perpetuating and widening the trust gap. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF TRAUMA ON OFFICERS AND COMMUNITIES Emerging data supports the association between psychological injury and physical trauma. Recognition of this connection has been a paradigm shift in the trauma community. It has demonstrated that continued hypervigilance creates psychological stress, which can be linked to ongoing challenges in mental health and associated behaviors. This is often associated with a "learned helplessness" state where few find their way out without guidance, resources, and mentorship 1 . Evolving scientific literature has identified first responders as being at higher risk of post-traumatic stress injury that can devolve into post traumatic stress disorder, and potentially grave consequences. 2 It is not surprising that we have seen a rise in suicide among first responders. Constant hypervigilance and exposure to traumatic circumstances are shared by many who live in distressed communities and by the responders who serve them. Most grow from the trauma and develop resilience, enabling them to cope. However, many do not develop the necessary resilience, and it is this high-stress group lacking resilience that is believed to be at the greatest risk. The medical, psychological, and social work communities have long tried to address these issues, but it is only recently that law enforcement has begun to pay attention. Solutions begin with recognition. Trauma-informed care, seeing psychotic behaviors as medical emergencies instead of criminal actions, training and education, and offering tools and resources are good beginnings. Normalizing conversations around these topics is crucial, as it improves awareness, reduces stigma, and can drive people to seek assistance. PARADIGM SHIFT Changing times and technology require ongoing re-evaluation of roles and responsibilities that often encounter resistance. In the 1970’s American fire departments began seeing a decrease in the number of fire calls while EMS calls rose. This correlated with the improvements in fire codes and the implementation of a national 911 system. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), EMS calls continue to rise considerably while fire calls con tinue to drop. 3 2021 numbers reflected 26,291,000 EMS calls com pared to 1,353,500 fire calls; this trend continues. This dramatic shift forced a change in the fire service requiring them to prepare and equip firefighters to adopt EMS skills so as to render aid before the ambulance arrives. As a result, many fire departments now run continued on page 15

freedoms or or even one’s life. Whether due to the current climate or historical discriminatory practices, police officers are, by default, placed in a disadvantaged position when it comes to community optics and trust. In contrast, EMS and firefighters serve in a response capacity, spending their downtime in stations or quarters. Unlike police, who are constantly present on the streets tasked with both preventing crime and responding to calls for service, EMS and firefighters typically engage with the community only when summoned. THE ROLE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES IN PUBLIC TRUST When someone calls 911, they are reaching out for emergency services to assist with a critical problem that falls outside their ability to handle alone. This is the definition of helplessness, and with that comes vulnerability and a loss of agency. People place their trust and even their lives in the hands of complete strangers, hoping they will offer a solution to their crisis. A majority of the time, EMS and firefighters respond to calls with adequate manpower, equipment, and trained personnel. Whether focused on a rescue, a medical emergency, or a fire, they arrive prepared and are rarely tasked outside their skillsets. In contrast, police officers, because of their proactive presence in the community, are often the first to arrive at most calls for service, regardless of the circumstance. This frequently places them in situations where they are under-manned, under-trained, and under-equipped, particularly in rescue and medical scenarios. This is also common during psychological emergencies, where officers are expected to manage an escalating situation with only weapons for defense or restraint. Without expertise in psychological crisis management or social resources to aid with social problems, officers are left only with tools to restrict or eliminate freedom and tools intended to sub lethally or lethally defend themselves in a physical altercation. If the officer feels threatened with great bodily harm or death, fatal circumstances can occur. ADDRESSING PSYCHOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES We are just beginning to address these circumstances by improving training and better equipping police officers to recognize and manage psychological emergencies. However, we still lack adequate social support resources. Jails and emergency departments often become the default destinations instead of centers specifically designed to handle mental health crises. When it comes to physical injury, police

Dr. Andrew Dennis.

14 FBINAA.ORG | Q1 2025