Recently, a State Police agency in the Southwest identified a troubling trend: officers leaving the agency due to PTSD and related medical disability claims. These officers had previously served in the military and had experienced combat, including witnessing comrades killed in battle or by roadside bombs. However, the agency discovered that PTSD was linked not solely to military experiences, but also to the distressing and tragic fatal accidents officers responded to on state freeways.
Law enforcement officers face occupational challenges that are unique when compared to most professions. Regular exposure to traumatic and critical incidents is a reality for police officers, and this repeated exposure can lead to serious emotional health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The impact of trauma varies depending on whether officers directly experience a traumatic event, witness it in person, or learn that a close friend or family member has been involved in a life-threatening incident. But the cumulative trauma faced in law enforcement makes it nearly impossible for officers to avoid some degree of emotional impact over the course of their careers.
Unfortunately, stigma around seeking help persists, with many officers fearing they will be labeled as weak or emotionally unstable if they reach out for support. This reluctance to seek help ultimately harms both the individual officer and the department.
Case study: Albuquerque Police Department
The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) recently experienced the tragic loss of an officer to suicide. This officer, who was in his late 40s, had served in the military before joining APD and worked with the department for approximately three years. Unbeknownst to colleagues, he was receiving treatment for PTSD at the Veterans Affairs Hospital and was prescribed ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Although officers are required to report any prescribed medications, no one was aware of his condition or the ketamine treatments. The officer was withdrawn and kept his personal struggles private…