Tag: law enforcement officers

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True Blue Valor™

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What is the most frightening thing a police officer will ever face?

What takes more courage to confront than any other single thing in law enforcement?

What is the one thing that we have pledged above all to our brothers and sisters in law enforcement?

The answer to all three of these questions is the same: “Taking care of our own” and more specifically: 1) confronting a peer who is losing control of their life or their career, and working to get them some help; 2) Having the strength to maintain the “thin blue line” and rescue a co-worker who is battling alcoholism, depression, drug addiction, or suicidal thoughts; and finally 3) “Never Leaving Anyone Behind” because if we don’t take care of our own, who will?  Unfortunately many times that pledge is a hollow one if we don’t have the courage to confront the people we should care about, before things get way out of control.

At the Law Enforcement Survival Institute (LESI) we have coined the term “True Blue Valor™”

The concept of “True Blue Valor™” is where one law enforcement officer has to muster the courage to confront a peer who is slipping both professionally, and personally, and endangering themselves, their peers and the public.  It takes a system of organizational support and professional leadership to support and foster the concept of courage and intervention.

As part of our Law Enforcement Survival Institution training we recommend that you consider the concept of True Blue Valor™.  Most importantly, when you are talking about the team concept… Continue reading

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How Comprehensive are Your Officer Survival Skills?

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John Marx along with three other speakers have been invited to present an eight hour program on Comprehensive Survival Skills at the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) conference this April 11-16, 2011 in Chicago Illinois.  This conference is huge, offering more than 150 courses (including more than two dozen instructor certification/armorer courses) with up to 20 sessions running simultaneously!

John Marx, Christian Dobratz, Lisa Wimberger and Dale Graff will present four two-hour blocks entitled:
“Tactical Wellness: To Serve with Valor, Protect Yourself Now” (Marx);
“The Cumulative Effects of Stress – Recognition, Intervention and Survival” (Dobratz);
“Emotional Survival and Stress Management” (Wimberger); and
“Optimizing Survival: Enhancing External and Internal Awareness” (Graff).

Please join us for what is going to be an eye-opening discussion on Law Enforcement Wellness and Career Survival.

John S. Marx, CPP is Executive Director of The Law Enforcement Survival Institute;
Lisa Wimberger is the CEO of Trance Personnel Consulting Group;
Christian Dobratz is a retired police officer and an Assistant Professor at  Minnesota State University at Mankato;
Dale Graff is a Facilitator, author and former Director of the U.S. military’s Stargate Project.

In John’s Tactical Wellness for law Enforcement session he will show… Continue reading

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Stress Reduction Program for Police Officers and Other Law Enforcement Professionals

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I had an interesting opportunity this week to interview an expert on the subject of police stress reduction, which is an excellent followup to our articles on the problems of police suicide and the other toxic side effects of a career in law enforcement.

Professor Edward LeClair has been a criminal justice professional since1969. During the last 15 years, working with dozens of police departments in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Professor LeClair has researched, designed and implemented the Law Enforcement Officer Stress Reduction Program with unique training based upon gender and sexual assault investigators stress reduction.

The police training was the outgrowth of Professor LeClair’s unique training as an intern at the Mindful Based Stress Reduction at the University of Massachusetts Worchester Medical Center, which was under the direction of John Kabat-Zinn, PhD; and the published medical research on the “Relaxation Response” by Herbert Benson, MD, from Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

As mentioned above Professor LeClair has found that the stress response is different for male officers and female police officers which is one of the things we talked about in our interview. Here are some things… Continue reading

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Police Officer Builds a New Life after Suicide Attempt

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CopsAlive was honored this week to be able to interview a police officer who attempted suicide and survived, and has maintained their career. This is critical to our discussion about wellness in law enforcement because we have a problem in our industry that we need to fix. Statistics indicate that somewhere between 2-6 times more officers kill themselves each year than are murdered in the line of duty. Police officer suicides are an issue that is long overdue for serious discussion within our profession.

It seems that the person who is best suited to describe this problem is someone who has been there, and lived through the depression leading up to a suicide attempt. Officer Kathleen Graves of the Seattle Police Department is just such a person, who after a lifetime of battling chronic pain, an addiction to pain killers, and bouts with depression, attempted to take her own life a little over a year ago. She created an elaborate plan to give away all of her worldly belongings, including her beloved dog, and even checked into a hotel room under an assumed name. She chose a hotel outside of her own jurisdiction to avoid traumatizing her peers, then she took a massive amount of pain killers. When she realized she hadn’t died, she took even more pills but was found by her rescuers before they could kill her. Her story is fascinating, and even more crucial for other officers to hear, because she was rescued, despite her own efforts to hide from her rescuers, and has been able to rebuild her life and her career. It is a remarkable story of tragedy and triumph. It is also a great starting point for an informed discussion about police officer suicides.

You can CLICK the play button here to listen to our 55 minute interview:

Or you can download the 10 MB mp3 file by using a RIGHT CLICK HERE to start the download (that’s CONTROL CLICK if you use a Mac then SAVE LINK AS…) of a copy of the mp3 file.

In our interview you will hear Officer Graves, a 14 year veteran, talk about her battles with chronic pain; her struggle with depression (a condition faced by many police veterans) and her feeling of burnout. She describes… Continue reading

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Police Suicides Finally Make Front Page News

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Thanks to American Police Beat and the San Francisco Police Officer’s Association for putting the issue of police officer suicides on the “front page”.  On the front page of their February 2011 edition, American Police Beat magazine features an article by Gary Delagnes the president of the San Francisco Police Officer’s Association entitled: “We need to talk about suicides”.

Police officer suicides are an issue that is long since overdue for serious discussion within our profession.  We need active discussion, awareness training and action because If we don’t care about it, who will.  We are leaving a legacy for our police families to deal with because we are too ignorant or afraid to handle the fact that more of our brothers and sisters are falling at their own hands than are being murdered in the line of duty.  This is an issue that should be discussed in Command Staff meetings as much as in Roll Call sessions about the world.  CLICK HERE for a copy of our Roll Call discussion guide.

The Problem

Statistics indicate that somewhere between 2-6 times more officers kill themselves each year than are killed by the bad guys.

A quarter of female police officers and nearly as many male officers assigned to shift work had thought about taking their own lives, a study of police work patterns and stress has shown*.

What to Do?

We Need to Discuss This Topic Now.  It should be a part of Roll Call Training and at every level of your organization.  We should ask:

Did You Know Someone Who Committed Suicide?
Have You Ever Contemplated Suicide Yourself?
How Should We Help Someone We Think May Be Contemplating Suicide?

Possible Warning Signs of Impending Suicide** Continue reading

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Wishing You A Safe, Happy and Healthy Holiday Season from CopsAlive

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It has been a tough year for law enforcement officers around the world.  Here in the United States, Line of Duty deaths are up 42% according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and the number of officers killed by gunfire is up 19%.

It is our mission at CopsAlive.com to “Save the Lives of Those Who Save Lives” and we do this by helping law enforcement officers around the world plan for safe, happy and healthy lives both on the job and beyond.

As this year comes to a close we are planning big things for 2011 to include on-line education programs, as well as on-site training, to help you survive this very dangerous and toxic career in law enforcement.

Until then we wanted to send you all our thanks and best wishes for a Happy, Safe and Healthy Holiday Season whereever, and how ever you serve.

We are including a wonderful poem from the great people at www.PolicePoems.com

Stay Safe!

“Angels In Blue”

I had this friend you see, who loved
God, Country, You and me.

My friend went to work day or night
the peace to keep, so you and I could sleep.

He worked the holidays and weekends,
away from family and friends.
To keep this peace for you and me.

Each day this friend put his life on the line
to spare yours and mine.

Then one day he paid the price, he gave his life.

You’ve done well my friend, patrolling these earthly streets.
Now it’s time to walk on Heaven’s beat.

The next time you see a Police Officer or two,
remember they are one of God’s Angels in Blue.

And God said; “Blessed are the Peace Makers.”

By Lieutenant Stanley Hascher
(Department Unknown)

Source: http://www.policepoems.com/AngelsInBlue.htm

Photo Credit: Imp_4897 by Meri Tosh as Creative Commons on Flickr.com

CopsAlive.com was founded to provide information and strategies to help police officers successfully survive their careers.  We help law enforcement officers and their agencies prepare for the risks that threaten their existence.

We do this by Helping Law Enforcement professionals plan for happy, healthy and successful lives on the job and beyond.  We think the best strategy is for each officer to create a tactical plan for their own life and career.

The Law Enforcement Survival Institute (LESI) works with individuals and organizations to help them create and sustain success in their lives and careers as law enforcement professionals.  It is the primary goal of The Law Enforcement Survival Institute to become the preeminent source for training, resources and information about how to create and sustain a happy, healthy and successful life and career while providing superior law enforcement service to your community.

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Great Article for Police Officers on Beating the Holiday Blues

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Here is a link to a great article on “Beating the Holiday Blues” by Dr. Beverly Anderson from “Gift From Within- PTSD Resources for Survivors & Caregivers”.

“COP TALK: Beating the Holiday Blues”
by Dr. Beverly Anderson
http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/beating-the-holiday-blues.html

Dr. Anderson is the Clinical Director/Administrator of the Metropolitan Police Employee Assistance Program (MPEAP) in Washington, DC.

Have a Safe and Healthy Holiday Season!

CopsAlive.com was founded to provide information and strategies to help police officers successfully survive their careers.  We help law enforcement officers and their agencies prepare for the risks that threaten their existence.

We do this by Helping Law Enforcement professionals plan for happy, healthy and successful lives on the job and beyond.  We think the best strategy is for each officer to create a tactical plan for their own life and career.

The Law Enforcement Survival Institute (LESI) works with individuals and organizations to help them create and sustain success in their lives and careers as law enforcement professionals.  It is the primary goal of The Law Enforcement Survival Institute to become the preeminent source for training, resources and information about how to create and sustain a happy, healthy and successful life and career while providing superior law enforcement service to your community.

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Please Donate to Safe Call Now’s End of the Year Giving Campaign!

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As we wind up a very successful year here at CopsAlive.com we ask that you consider giving to Safe Call Now in support of their ongoing efforts to save the lives of public safety employees and their families.  Without your help, they cannot continue to provide those much needed services to our first responders.  Every dollar donated, no matter how big or small, goes directly to help saving one of your own.  To make a secure online donation please visit: www.safecallnow.org or to donate by check: “Safe Call Now” – 2949 4th Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134.  I invite you to show your support for law enforcement, police, and other public safety employees and their family members by donating to Safe Call Now.  Thank you for your support!

We at CopsAlive.com wish you all a safe and healthy holiday season!

Here is a personal message from Sean Riley the Executive Director of Safe Call Now:

These past years have been difficult for most of us – but for those struggling with a personal crisis – they have been devastating.

Safe Call Now is a 24-hour crisis referral service for public safety employees and their family members nationwide. Safe Call Now has a clear vision to help those in need find healthy alternatives, resources and education. Since it’s date of inception, Safe Call Now has placed over 100 public safety employees into substance abuse treatment and referred out over 2,000 families for services.
Now, more than ever – we need to do more. When you support Safe Call Now, you’ll have a direct and immediate impact of the lives of those who help protect us.
When you donate to Safe Call Now, you help provide:
live 24-hour crisis telephone referral services; a safe place to turn to get help from individuals who understand the demands of a public safety career and who may have endured the same struggles; continuing development of public safety special services; on-going training for public safety employees & their families; and most importantly YOU are saving lives, families & careers

It’s never been more important for us to support each other. I invite you to show your support for public safety employees and their family members in need by donating to Safe Call Now. Please visit our website to make a secure donation or pay by check to: “Safe Call Now” • 2949 4th Ave. South • Seattle, WA 98134.
To learn more about Safe Call Now’s work, check out www.safecallnow.org. Thank you for your support!
Happy holidays to you and your family!

Sincerely,
Sean Riley Executive Director
www.safecallnow.org

Safe Call Now is a registered 501(c)(3) organization with a Federal tax identification number of #26-3430343. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this donation.

CopsAlive.com was founded to provide information and strategies to help police officers successfully survive their careers.  We help law enforcement officers and their agencies prepare for the risks that threaten their existence.

We do this by Helping Law Enforcement professionals plan for happy, healthy and successful lives on the job and beyond.  We think the best strategy is for each officer to create a tactical plan for their own life and career.

The Law Enforcement Survival Institute (LESI) works with individuals and organizations to help them create and sustain success in their lives and careers as law enforcement professionals.  It is the primary goal of The Law Enforcement Survival Institute to become the preeminent source for training, resources and information about how to create and sustain a happy, healthy and successful life and career while providing superior law enforcement service to your community.

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Is Yoga a Four Letter Word to Cops?

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Let me introduce you to Nick Manci, a yoga instructor from Portland Oregon who wants to to help cops deal with their stress through yoga.

Nick’s form of yoga is a little more aggressive than the most common forms practiced in studios and classes because he says he is very in touch with the male energy that is common in law enforcement agencies.

The practice of Yoga is estimated to be over 5000 years old and traces it’s roots back in time to an origin in India. Many sources recommend yoga as stress management for police officers.

Currently, it is estimated that there are about 30 million people in America, and 1 million people in the United Kingdom practicing hatha yoga. Yoga (in the West) is an exercise-related and posture-related technique that involves gentle stretching, breath control and meditation.

According to Nick “The One Breath concept is a tool to systematically eradicate physical, psychological and emotional suffering that resides in the body caused by habit, addiction, situational stress, or past trauma. We do this by… Continue reading

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Police Beatings: Balancing Anarchy and Tyranny

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A Seattle police officer punched a woman in the face after detaining a woman for jay walking.  The officer tried to detain the woman but she refused to cooperate by pulling away.  As she resisted, the officer grabbed her and struggled as she pulled away.  This continued as an angry crowd began to circle the officer.

Soon a second woman entered the scene and pushed the officer to help her resisting friend.  The officer immediately reacted by punching the second woman in the face, removing her from the picture while he continued struggling with the first woman.  This obviously upset the crowd and also excited a negative reaction toward the officer from the normally pro police — Bill O’Reilly.

Surprisingly, this type of incident is similar to those that provoke most citizen complaints and law suits against law enforcement.  For the most part, it isn’t the shootings or other more seemingly serious incidents that draw… Continue reading