Critical Incident Peer Support for Law Enforcement

Module Four: Intervention Strategies

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Learning Objectives

The participant will be able to employ one-on-one intervention techniques following a critical incident.

Participant will be able to:▫ Describe how to work with someone in a crisis. ▫ Describe the guidelines for offering support. ▫ Use effective communication skills with a peer. ▫ Use peer support intervention models with a peer.

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Module Overview

Working with someone in a crisis Effective communication skills Peer support intervention model

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Module Four Introduction Video

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Working with Someone in a Crisis

A peer support member should be able to: ▫ Understand the peer’s present situation▫ Understand the importance to the peer▫ Determine the precipitating event▫ Examine what coping mechanisms the peer has used▫ Explore alternatives▫ Identify/understand other issues that may compound

the peer’s response to the crisis

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Guidelines for Offering Support

To best support your peers: ▫ Learn about critical incident stress.▫ Be available.▫ Understand and accept the response you get from the

person.▫ Listen to what is being said.▫ Be a resource.

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Peer Supporter Communication Skills

Nonverbal Listening Empathy Feelings Paraphrasing

Clarifying Questioning Summarizing Self-Disclosure

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Practical Exercise—Communication Skills

Assessing your communication skills▫ Analyze and rate your communication skills to help

identify areas for improvement.

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Barriers to Effective Communication

Overly dominating Bombarding with questions Inappropriate self-disclosure False reassurance Discouraging the expression of emotions Emotional distancing

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Things to Say/Things Not to Say

Things to Say What happened? I’m so sorry. This must be very difficult

for you. It’s okay to feel.... I don’t know what to say. It’s okay to cry. What do you need help

with? It’s okay to ask for help.

Things Not to Say I know how you feel. Calm down. Don’t cry. It could be worse. God has His reasons. You’re better off now. At least you have….

When working with a peer:

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Practical Exercise—Communication Skills

Communication skills ▫ Choose a partner.▫ Ask a question from the list in your Student Guide.▫ Practice asking open-ended questions.▫ Switch places and repeat the exercise.

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Intervention Point

Time Period What Is Happening? Who Is Best to Intervene?

At the Scene Conflict control, stabilization, and support

Fellow officers, immediate supervisors, unit commanders, the media, civilians

Investigation Mandated regulations and procedures

Immediate supervisor, unit commander

1st 24 Hours Moves from impact phase to recoil phase

Peer supporter, immediate supervisor, mental health professional

Week One Moves from recoil phase to post-traumatic period

Immediate supervisor, peer supporter, mental health professional, unit commander

Weeks 2-4 Returns to duty and becomes involved in familiar routines

Fellow officers, immediate supervisor, peer supporter, mental health professional

Months 1-6 Problems continue? Professional help is indicated. Peer supporter and supervisors may be supportive and encourage further help.

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Peer Supporter Tasks

Getting the facts Establishing role identities Creating a sanctuary Establishing the alliance Listening effectively Reassuring Supporting Being available Following up

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Peer Supporter Intervention Models

SAFE-R Model▫ Stabilize▫ Acknowledge the

crisis▫ Facilitate

understanding▫ Encourage effective

coping techniques▫ Restore independent

functioning

ABC Model▫ All the way through▫ Back through▫ Confront

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SAFE-R Model

Stabilize the situation:▫ Reduce the stimuli.▫ Protect from additional stress.▫ Assess rapidly.

Acknowledge the crisis:▫ Acknowledge there is a crisis.▫ Ensure that help is available.

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SAFE-R Model

Facilitate understanding and normalize symptoms/reactions:▫ Discuss symptoms.▫ Solve problem.▫ Plan.

Encourage effective coping techniques:▫ Accept and use resources.▫ Use coping skills.

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SAFE-R Model

Recover or Refer:▫ Restore independent functioning.▫ Provide after care.▫ Perform simple tasks.▫ Aim for recovery.

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ABC Model

Step A: All the way through without interruption Step B: Back through with thoughts/reactions

and feelings Step C: Confront (points of discrepancy, coping

issues, excessive self-criticism, etc.); Calm and Continuity (what previous experiences are similar?)

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Practical Exercise: Non-Specific Role Play

Practice scenarios▫ Divide into groups of three or four.▫ Read through the scenarios.▫ Two will role-play while the rest will observe, assess,

and, at the end of the exercise, provide feedback on the performance of the peer supporters.

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Car Accident Scenario

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Practical Exercise: Car Accident

Divide into groups of five or six. Assign the following roles to the members of

your group: ▫ Responding Officer ▫ Paramedic▫ Peer Supporter(s) ▫ Peer Evaluator

Instructors will be assessing the groups.

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Domestic Shooting Scenario

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Practical Exercise: Domestic Shooting

Divide into groups of five or six. Assign the following roles to the members of

your group: ▫ Law Enforcement Officer #1▫ Law Enforcement Officer #2▫ Peer Supporter(s) ▫ Peer Evaluator

Instructors will be assessing the groups.

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Review—Check on Learning

What qualities should be looked for during the peer support member selection process?

What are some techniques used when working with someone in a crisis?

How does a peer supporter offer support? What are two effective communication skills that

can be used with a peer? How do the SAFE-R and ABC intervention

models help during an incident?

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Course Review

Module One distinguished between stress and critical incident stress.

Module Two identified the main principles of critical incident peer support.

Module Three explained the responsibilities of a critical incident peer supporter.

Module Four employed one-on-one intervention techniques following a critical incident.