Post Critical Incident Trauma

Support Services for Survivors of "In Line of Duty" Police Officer Casualty

Preplanning for this unwanted eventuality maximizes the support for the family and fellow officers.

INITIAL NOTIFICATION OF "NEXT OF KIN":

Never release personally identifiable information to media prior to next of kin.

Be weary of video cameras and their coverage of the incident at the scene.

Expedite response, have medical personnel standing by when giving notification to next of kin. Appropriate notification personnel:


• Command level, Director or Chief
  
  
• Police Chaplain (if available)
  
  
• Knowledgeable Psychologist

Never go alone when making notification, but, be careful who accompanies person making notification (other command personnel, supervisory staff appropriate). Ask family who they want you to call to assist them through this period. Avoid undue delay to assemble appropriate personnel. Expedite gathering family of mortally wounded officer prior to death.

GO TO THE RIGHT HOME! USE DIRECT LANGUAGE. Avoid "soft" terminology, denial will occur, so use forthright language. Well trained officers are usually best at such at notifications. Following the delivery of the message, be prepared for response, survivors may blame the commander. This is a naturally expected venting of hostility and frustration by survivors.

IMMEDIATE SUPPORT SERVICES


• Transportation to hospital/morgue/funeral home.
  
  
• Arrange for immediate child care.

Do not forget personal notification of deceased officer's parents in addition to spouse. If they reside out of town, notification is appropriate by law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. Provide for simultaneous telephone contact by Command level personnel, do not just have switchboard handle call. Reciprocate with other departments.


• Apprise officer in charge at the hospital of your bringing next of kin prior to arrival.

WATCH CONTENT OF RADIO TRAFFIC! There are scanners out there.

Arrange for private area. Officers making initial notification, command level officer should remain should remain with survivors. Establish rapport, maintain positive contact.

Explain visitation policies, need for autopsy arrangements. Avoid over protection of the next of kin. Allow next of kin to view body, necessary to avoid denial (psychological closure).

Arrange for return transportation of family to their home. Director or Chief should arrange with medical provider and the Office of Employee Relations and Training for all medical bills to be sent to that office. Worker's Compensation Insurance will cover these expenses.

Do not make idle promises that you may not be able to keep at a later date, i.e., retire badge number, etc.

LIAISON OFFICER:

Appoint liaison officer to work with family as a facilitator, not as a decision maker, to present "what is available" options, information, and support.

Person selected should be someone familiar with family, but not overly emotionally attached, specifically the "best buddy."

Duties:


• Insure family comes before department.
  
  
• Meet with family, explain function to be performed.
  
  
• Be constantly available 24 hours daily.
  
  
• Make oneself aware of and knowledgeably explain details of death and as much as possible about the ongoing investigation.

Assist with arrangements for travel and lodging of out of town survivors. Ascertain the assistance/benefits/level of involvement fraternal organizations are prepared to provide (Fraternal Order of Police, Elks, Masons, Moose, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, service organizations).

Brief family on ceremonies and options ("Do you want these services?" If so, schedule dates and times.).

Arrangements for out of town parents are very important.

PRESS and MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS:

Press and media relations should be handled by Command level officer (Director and/or Chief). Refer to ATTACHMENT F - Media Relation's "Crisis Communication Plan"

Discourage family with agreeing to provide a media interview, but, if you cannot, prescreen questions. Be present during interview to insure that ground rules are followed to AVOID PRETRAIL PREJUDICE of case.

SURVIVING FAMILIES SUPPORT GROUPS:

There should be a support group established within FOP, FOP Auxiliary for food and household preparation, screening of telephone calls, child care, etc.

Other services:


• Transportation to other memorial services, alternative service locations if home church, temple, or mosque is not large enough.
  
  
• Arrange for authorization of visiting clergy into large facility or out of town church.
  
  
• Arrange for P.A. system for overflow crowd.

PSYCHOLOGISTS:

Critical incident debriefing important for all close friend officers and officers having involvement with traumatic situation.

Grief therapy is important follow-up procedure for four to six months after incident.

Continue security checks of survivors' home for six to eight weeks following incident.

APPOINT BENEFITS COORDINATOR (Should not be Liaison Officer):

Expedite information about and provision of assistance benefits.

Do not depend on personnel office alone to gather information on death benefits, insurance, outstanding bills. Complete all paper work. Walk paper work through channels. Visit survivors. Provide list of contact persons at agencies and fraternal organizations (FOP, Social Security, etc.). Distinguish between benefits and funeral payments.

Apportioned Costs - Provide benefits information to guardians of children from any previous marriage(s). Know what you are talking about, relative benefits to be paid to estate of deceased officer; do not misinform.

Address problems of continuing health insurance.

Have full details of circumstances of death to appropriately and accurately complete forms.

Director and Chief should remain highly visible.

Provide legal counsel if possible, but not the legal representative for the University. FOP may be able to provide independent legal counsel. Legal counsel must be solely the advocate for the survivors.

Continued comprehensive follow-up with entire family (recognition of spouse, parents, and children from previous marriages) is important. Invite survivors to ongoing social functions. Recognition/remembrance on death date, holidays, etc. important (simple call from Director or Chief will be appreciated).

Prepare a "scrap book."

Never make idle promises. Follow up on obligations and commitments.

SUPPORT FAMILY WHILE AWAITING TRIAL - pre-brief next of kin in advance of any media releases. If withholding information, tell next of kin why details are being withheld.

Other things to remember:


• Utilize victim/witness assistance programs.
  
  
• Have support person with next of kin at trial in close liaison with Commonwealth Attorney. Suggest they leave during presentation of sensitive evidence. Encourage departmental officers attend trial.
  
  
• Make debriefing services available to all.
  
  
• Facilitate continued health insurance at group rates. Coordinate educational benefits for survivors. Arrange for remarriage rights with death benefits.
  
  
• Encourage all officers to maintain preplanning booklet tallying updated inventory of assets/liabilities.
  
  
• Coordinator should expedite paperwork. The preplanning booklet will be very helpful.
  
  
• Package preplanned press release containing black and white photo of officers and individualized files.