Behind the Badge
Outreach & Prevention Program
A PTSD research and outreach program developed by the Police Benevolent Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida, and Florida Regional Community Policing Institute at St. Petersburg College

Purpose:

To provide training, education and resources to law enforcement professionals and their families about the dangers of on the job stress for law enforcement officers; to encourage law enforcement administrators to provide adequate resources and outreach for law enforcement stress; to obtain and conduct research of PTSD and its effect on law enforcement officers; to prevent officer suicides.

Goals:

To establish a peer-to-peer support/outreach for PBA members who are in need of emotional assistance; To provide on-going training and resources for PBA members, law enforcement professionals/personnel, and family members; to provide public information and education to concerned members of the community.

Objectives:

• Train each member of the PBA field staff in techniques for dealing with member stress.
• Equip PBA field staff with information and specific resources to direct troubled law enforcement officers to trained professionals.
• Establish a strong network of support for law enforcement officers and family members in need of assistance and emotional support.
• Conduct seminars for the purpose of educating the public, law enforcement officers and their families about PTSD and job related stress.
• Provide resources and educational material to both PBA members and PBF supporters.

Summary:

Behind the Badge is the Police Benevolent Foundation’s new initiative to combat law enforcement officer suicide. Research shows that the biggest threat to an officer’s career may be the officer himself. Each year more than 150 officers die in the line of duty; however, the number of officers who die by their own hands is more than double that amount. The CDC and suicide researchers rank law enforcement suicide among the highest segments in the nation.

There are many contributing factors that affect the high rate of suicide in the profession. Job related stress, which includes dangers and heinous acts against crime victims, combined with little, in any, access to coping and stress management programs undoubtedly yields less than optimal results.

Fact: Of the approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the U.S., only about 2% actually address these issues.

Fact: Mental health and the need for emotional support and outreach are viewed negatively within the profession itself. This causes many officers to hide, ignore and even refuse assistance.

Fact: Substance abuse is a common coping mechanism for over stressed officers.

Fact: Law enforcement officers and military service personnel have very high suicide rates; often these two professions are linked by the individuals who serve in them.

Fact: Many current and future law enforcement officers will be returning from extended service to their country in high stress combat to high stress daily job environments in the law enforcement profession.

Target Areas of Interest:

Combating Officer Stress:

Address key areas of officer stress and develop stress management strategies.

Recognizing the signs of stress:

Getting away from the job
Importance of health: exercise, rest, diet
Time management

Substance Abuse:

Coping with the stress; better ways to escape
Outreach: where to turn for help
 

The Foundation is grateful to have the support of the United States Attorneys Office, GA POST, and many professionals from around the country.  We hope to make this program effective for law enforcement offices and administrators, as well as the families who are at risk of dealing with such a harsh reality.

Instructors and Contributors

-Law Enforcement Coordination Manager
U.S. Attorneys Office, Middle District of Florida
-Masters Degree-Florida State University
-Certified Police Instructor and Crime Prevention Practitioner

Donna.schulz@usdoj.gov