Officer involved shootings are frequently found to produce psychological trauma and other symptoms that can interfere with future performance. Recent research suggests that involvement in other traumatic situations often have debilitating impact upon law enforcement officers, as well. In this regard, LESI® professionals are available for assistance to agencies in several manners:

• Direct counseling of officers
• Consultation to other professionals or agencies
• Policy and program development
• Training and supervision of peer support officers
  

Post Shooting and Critical Incident Consultation

Officer involved shootings are frequently found to produce psychological trauma and other symptoms that can interfere with future performance. Recent research suggests that involvement in other traumatic situations often have debilitating impact upon law enforcement officers, as well. In this regard, LESI® professionals are available for assistance to agencies in several manners:

• Direct counseling of officers
• Consultation to other professionals or agencies
• Policy and program development
• Training and supervision of peer support officers

Peer Support Training and Selection Services

It has been found that the effectiveness of law enforcement and emergency response personnel can be profoundly influenced by stress. This stress can be precipitated by a particular critical incident such as a shooting or a multiple fatality disaster, or by the cumulative, long-term effects of the job itself.

Law enforcement and emergency response personnel are somewhat reluctant to seek professional help to deal with stress and personal problems that may be affecting their performance. Rather, they are more likely to seek out other officers/responders within their agencies in whom to confide. In the case of a critical incident , it is often helpful to hold a "debriefing meeting" for all personnel involved. In the case of long term, cumulative stress problems (e.g. substance abuse, marital problems, mood and temper problems), an ongoing supportive relationship with a trained peer is often helpful. The Peer Support Training Program developed by LESI® addresses this need.

The Peer Support Training Program has four basic components:

• Identification and Selection of Peer Support Officers
• Initial Training of Peer Support Officers
• Ongoing Training and Supervision of Peer Support Officers
• Yearly Program Evaluation

Identification and Selection of Peer Support Officers

LESI® professionals meet with agency command personnel to explain the program and to detail the peer support application procedure. Typically, an agency wide meeting is held to announce the program and to invite peer support trainee applications. Applicants for training are initially screened by supervisors to assure that they possess the basic qualifications for training as peer counselors. Once screened, applicants are evaluated by a LESI® professional and take several psychological tests that are subsequently utilized in the training program.

Initial Training of Peer Support Officers

Peer support officers receive a total of twenty-four hours of formal classroom training during the first year. Counselors initially attend two full days of training which covers the following content areas:

• Active supportive listening techniques
• Recognizing stress symptoms
• Ethics of counseling and confidentiality
• Recognizing need for additional professional help and managing the referral process

Ongoing Training and Supervision of Peer Support Officers

After the initial sixteen hours of training are completed, the program commences. Monthly training and supervision sessions are conducted by LESI® personnel. These supervisory sessions are two to three hours in length and are devoted to advanced topics as well as individual case supervision. In addition, all peer counselors are encouraged to communicate by telephone with LESI® supervisors should questions arise in regard to any case. In the case of significant critical incidents (e.g. officer involved shootings, multiple fatality disasters, etc.), LESI® supervisors will be available for immediate on-site consultation.

Should it become apparent that any client is in need of professional (rather than peer level) support, LESI® will assure proper referral. Upon establishing an agency peer counseling program, LESI® will develop a list of local mental health professionals who will accept referrals should the need arise. In addition, LESI® will facilitate the referral process and complete disposition of any case in which fitness for duty is at issue.

Psychological Support Services

LESI® designs, executes and supervises specialized training programs and support services within its client agencies. LESI® professionals also perform psychological evaluations and individual duty status consultations.