Related Articles and Information
Lt. Brain Thiem has written an excellent article that every officer should read. Lt. Thiem was gracious enough to give permission to reprint his article on our web site. Please take a moment to read it.
To All Current and Former Oakland Police Officers:
Mental and emotional disorders, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and "stress" are very REAL. Many of these disorders, like clinical depression and PTSD, are diseases just like cancer and diabetes. They are not "just in your head" or caused because of a "weakness" in your moral character. Like other diseases, they can be treated, and you can live a normal life. If not treated, they may cause death. Read that again...they may cause death. Such a problem cannot be self treated by "sucking it up," "getting over it," "having a few drinks," or ignoring it. What usually happens when that is tried is the feelings get buried and come out many times stronger at a later date when something small triggers it. Or many small events, not handled, combine and later come out as a major incident.
Joe Colletti was a fine man and he tried to help officers by "getting back in the saddle." Back in the 70's and 80's, they did not know any better. Today we do. Fellow officers...please do not listen to some of the "old timers" who do not know any better and not get treatment when you need it.
Yes, there are still many in the Department who view admitting you have a "problem" as a sign of weakness. Disregard them. You can get confidential information and counseling through the Managed Health Network (MHN) (800) 227-1060 or help and referral from any member of the Department's Peer Support Team. No one from the Department will know unless you tell them.
I have worked Homicide for a number of years as a Sergeant and now as a Lieutenant. I see many officers involved in shootings and observe what it does to them. Very few cops can take a human life, whether completely justified or not, and not have mental and emotional side effects. PTSD does not occur just in deadly force incidents. I read the book, "Cop Shock" to better understand PTSD and our officers who suffer from it. I urge those who want to learn more to do the same.
A higher percentage of urban police officers suffer from PTSD than Vietnam vets. Combat is hell, no doubt about it, but it is of short duration and the enemy is very different than the individuals officers face. Urban police face a threat daily for more than 20 years; there are no stateside rotations, no front line and rear line, and no six–month tours. We see people victimized, killed, maimed, etc. for many more days than any combat veteran and are normally wounded in the line of duty much more frequently than combat veterans.
And then there are the victims we have to work with. We make ourselves responsible to do something about the things we experience, yet because we are not supermen or superwomen we often fail and have to stand by helplessly.
I've seen too many OPD officers' lives lost and shattered because they think they can go it alone and do not ask for help when they need it. It takes enormous courage to admit you need help and ask for it while ignoring the rhetoric of the self-proclaimed tough guys who do, or used to, wear the blue uniform. Call me...anyone...any time if you need to talk about this subject further or have any questions (x 3949).
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation: http://www.icisf.org
Managed Health Network (sworn): http://www.mhn.com
(plan code: Oakland)
City of Oakland Employee Assistance Program (Civilian)
http://www.oaklandnet.com (search entry: EAP)