SQUAD TALK (When The Sun Goes Down)

Robin Knoll - Chaplain City of Waukesha Police Department

Role of the Chaplain Listen Listen Officer Support Officer Support Encouragement Encouragement Assist As Needed Assist As Needed Pray Pray Citizen Support (on department’s behalf) Citizen Support (on department’s behalf) Offer Advice/Counsel Offer Advice/Counsel

Role of the Chaplain Fridays at department Fridays at department “On Call” “On Call” Scheduled Meetings (Personnel or Citizens) Scheduled Meetings (Personnel or Citizens) Training Training CISM Team CISM Team

Friday Ride-Alongs (What Do We Talk About???)

First Things First Confidentiality Confidentiality No Topic “Off Limits” No Topic “Off Limits” Cannot Be Offended Cannot Be Offended Cannot Force Faith (but can answer ???) Cannot Force Faith (but can answer ???) Safety Safety Support Support

3 rd Most Talked About Topic Society

Natural Disasters

Tragedy

2 nd Most Talked About Topic Their Careers

Why They Do What They Do

Making a Difference

The Honor of Serving

It’s In The Family

Most Talked About Topic Their Family !!!!!!!!

They Love Their Families

They Talk About The Good …

And The Not So Good

Why The Disconnect???

Stress In Law Enforcement

Two Types (Intensity Levels) of Stress Two Types (Intensity Levels) of Stress Eustress … positive, motivating Eustress … positive, motivating Distress … excessive, debilitating Distress … excessive, debilitating

Two Types Of Distress Cumulative (Burnout) Cumulative (Burnout) Slow erosion of functioning Slow erosion of functioning Cynicism Cynicism Incomplete work Incomplete work Lateness Lateness Impulsive need for change Impulsive need for change Chronic physical illness Chronic physical illness Critical Incident (Traumatic) Critical Incident (Traumatic) Normal coping overwhelmed Adaptive functioning interrupted Symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Signs and Symptoms of Distress Cognitive Cognitive Thinking, Confusion, Difficulty making decisions Thinking, Confusion, Difficulty making decisions Emotional Emotional Anxiety, Irritability, Anger, Panic, Grief, Vegetative Depression Anxiety, Irritability, Anger, Panic, Grief, Vegetative Depression Behavioral Behavioral Impulsiveness, Risk Taking, Alcohol/Drug Use, Withdrawal Impulsiveness, Risk Taking, Alcohol/Drug Use, Withdrawal Physical Physical Headaches, Hyperventilation, Fatigue, Chest Pain Headaches, Hyperventilation, Fatigue, Chest Pain Spiritual Spiritual Anger with God, Withdrawal From Faith Community Anger with God, Withdrawal From Faith Community

Dealing With Stress Slow down and make the necessary changes for good physical health. Do I eat a balanced and healthy diet? Do I exercise at least three times a week? Do I take at least one day of rest each week? Do I get adequate restful sleep most nights? Slow down and evaluate your priorities. Make a list of everything you do. Consider other priorities that should be on the list. Number in order of importance. Choose your commitments carefully. Eliminate unnecessary stressful obligations. Don’t accept impossible deadlines. Don’t give in to the pressure of urgency. Tackle only one problem at a time.

What Can You Do? Continue to Support Them Continue to Support Them Appreciate who they are Appreciate who they are Celebrate the Good Celebrate the Good Don’t ignore the difficulties Don’t ignore the difficulties Work together as a team Work together as a team Remember they are people just like you Remember they are people just like you Think about offering Chaplain Care Think about offering Chaplain Care

A Ministry of Presence Providing care, support and spiritual resources for protective service and first responder personnel and to those they serve in crisis situations.

A Ministry of Presence Plans To Develop: Chaplain Profile Chaplain Profile Chaplain Survey Chaplain Survey Chaplain Training Chaplain Training To Build on Current Success experienced at WPD

Current Contact Information (414)

A Ministry of Presence QUESTIONS???