08-04 Members Involved in a Traumatic Critical Incident Flashcards
What is the Rationale?
The Toronto Police Service (Service) is committed to ensuring that members involved in traumatic critical incidents are given appropriate and sufficient support both at the onset and conclusion of a traumatic critical incident. The Service traumatic critical incident support process includes defusing and debriefing sessions and, where required, the opportunity for professional assistance in dealing with critical incident stress. In addition, for officer–involved shooting incidents there are post incident firearms exposure sessions.
Supervision
Supervisory Officer notification mandatory when
- involved in a traumatic critical incident
- upon becoming aware that another member has been involved in a traumatic critical incident, or is showing signs and symptoms of critical incident stress
- firearm discharge (officer involved shooting)
Procedure
In the normal course of their duties, members are involved in events that meet the definition of “traumatic critical incident”. ____ are two examples of such routine events. More catastrophic events occur less frequently and may increase the potential for members to experience symptoms of critical incident stress.
Serious traffic collisions and sudden deaths
Keeping in mind that any event has potential to interfere with a member’s ability to function professionally or personally; supervisors, officers in charge and unit commanders must assess each traumatic critical incident to determine the appropriate level of support for members involved. The determination of whether or not the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) / Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) is immediately contacted will be dependent on the assessment by the ______. However, the CIRT/PSV must be contacted in all instances in which the member has requested immediate support. Additionally, ____MUST ensure an Injured-on Duty Online Report is completed for all members involved in an event and submitted.
officer in charge in consultation with the Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC)
supervisors, officers in charge and unit commanders
Factors that may impact the assessment include, but are not limited to the
- nature of the event
- member’s Service experience
- member’s life experience
- member’s involvement in previous traumatic critical incidents, and
- member’s behaviour.
In determining whether an event should be reported as a “Traumatic Critical Incident”, the decision should be based on the
nature and circumstances of the event rather than on the reactions, or lack of reactions of the involved individuals. In making such a determination, members MUST consult with the officer in charge and/or the TPOC.
A member suffering from critical incident stress may display a wide variety of symptoms. It is the responsibility of all members to assist and support each other in this regard.
Critical Incident Response Team
The CIRT was established to assist members and their families to cope after becoming involved in a traumatic critical incident. CIRT/PSVs are Service members who are trained in trauma response measures.
All Service members may apply to become a PSV of the CIRT. After the required screening and training, PSVs will be qualified to
respond to traumatic critical incidents. Interested members can contact the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Liaison/CIRT Coordinator for further information.
Traumatic Critical Incident Mitigation Process
Immediately after Traumatic Critical Incident - Defusing Session (Can be led by 2 CIRT/PSVs, EFAP provider or Service Psychologist) —->
After Traumatic Critical Incident - Debriefing Session (Led by EFAP provider and/or Service Psychologist) —->
Follow-up (if required) - Referral
The on–call CIRT/PSV works together with the affected unit to initiate peer support defusing sessions. In consultation with
the officer in charge, unit commander and/or the TPOC, the Service Psychologist (if applicable), and the EFAP provider’s CIRT, the CIRT/PSV determines which, if any, of these sessions are required. If the on-call CIRT/PSV or the Service Psychologist determines any sessions are required, attendance is mandatory but active participation in the discussion is voluntary.
Post Incident Firearms Exposure Session
It is recognized that on occasion officers may discharge their firearm in the line of duty. The impact of these traumatic critical incidents is not limited to the officers who discharge their firearms. Rather, officers
present at a shooting incident can be impacted by the experience. As the next opportunity for officers to discharge a Service firearm may not occur until their annual requalification, often several months after the shooting incident, post incident firearms exposure sessions have been established.
Post incident firearms exposure sessions are individual sessions involving firearm exercises undertaken with a qualified firearms instructor. These sessions do NOT ______. Post incident firearms exposure sessions at the Toronto Police College are mandatory for officers who ____.
consist of a qualification standard. Rather, post incident firearms exposure sessions consist of a course of fire intended to be educational, to provide reassurance, and to promote officers’ confidence with their firearm
discharge their firearms in the line of duty and officers determined by their unit commander to be directly impacted by the incident However, any officer involved in a shooting incident may request to participate in a post incident firearms exposure session.
Post incident firearms exposure sessions do not apply to the
discharge of a firearm for the purpose of dispatching an animal, unless circumstances suggest otherwise.
Member
- When involved in a traumatic critical incident SHALL
- immediately report the incident to a supervisor
- seek medical attention, if necessary
- attend defusing and debriefing sessions as directed by the supervisor, officer in charge or the unit commander of the affected unit and/or the CIRT/PSV or their designate
Member
- When involved in an officer–involved shooting incident SHALL
- attend a post incident firearms exposure session as directed by the Unit Commander
- Any officer involved in a shooting incident may request to participate in a post incident firearms exposure session.
Members
- Upon becoming aware that another member has been involved in a traumatic critical incident or is showing signs and symptoms of critical incident stress SHALL
- immediately notify a supervisor
- refrain from making any diagnosis
Supervisor
- Upon becoming aware that a member has been involved in a traumatic critical incident or is showing signs and symptoms of critical incident stress SHALL
- immediately notify the Officer in Charge of the affected member’s unit or civilian equivalent
- ensure an Injured-on Duty Online Report is completed and submitted
- The wording for the Injured-on Duty Report under the section “Nature and Area of Injury(ies)” SHALL be: “Traumatic Critical Incident”.
- participate in the assessment of the incident with the officer in charge to determine the appropriate level of support for the member
- provide support and ongoing encouragement to assist the member
Supervisor
- When involved in an assessment of a traumatic critical incident SHALL
record all factors considered and actions taken in their memorandum book. Members not assigned a memorandum book SHALL make a written record of all factors considered and actions taken.
Supervisor
- When consulted regarding an officer–involved shooting incident SHALL
make a record of the consultation and actions taken in their memorandum book. Members not assigned a memorandum book SHALL make a written record of the consultation and actions taken.
Officer in Charge / Civilian Equivalent
- Upon becoming aware of a traumatic critical incident taking place SHALL
- consult with the Officer in Charge – TPOC to determine the appropriate level of response
- advise the Unit Commander when it is determined in consultation with the TPOC that the CIRT/PSV is required to attend
Officer in Charge / Civilian Equivalent
- When involved in an assessment of a traumatic critical incident SHALL
record all factors considered and actions taken in their memorandum book. Members not assigned a memorandum book shall make a written record of all factors considered and actions taken.
Officer in Charge / Civilian Equivalent
- When consulted regarding an officer–involved shooting incident SHALL make a
record of the consultation and actions taken in their memorandum book. Members not assigned a memorandum book SHALL make a written record of the consultation and actions taken.
Officer in Charge / Civilian Equivalent
- When a member is involved in a traumatic critical incident and the CIRT/PSV is not immediately consulted SHALL ensure the member is
- advised that immediate support from the Service’s EFAP provider is available
- provided a copy of the Critical Incident Stress Handout
- made aware of all the services available to them
Officer in Charge / Civilian Equivalent
- Upon becoming aware that a member has been directed to attend a mandatory defusing session, debriefing session, or post incident firearms exposure session SHALL
ensure that the member complies with such direction.
Unit Commander
- Upon becoming aware that a traumatic critical incident has taken place SHALL ensure
- the TPOC is immediately consulted
o any time a member requests immediate support
o when a member’s life has been imperilled
o when assessment of the traumatic critical incident deems this to be the appropriate level of support
o when the Unit Commander and/or Officer in Charge is uncertain about the appropriate level of support - an appropriate response and support for the affected member has been developed in consultation with the member’s supervisor, the officer in charge and the TPOC if required
- where appropriate, the use of the guidelines in Appendix B, or other reasonable measures are considered, when determining the nature of the support and assistance to be offered to the affected member and their immediate family
- the member’s family is notified of the particulars, if necessary
- immediate support from EFAP provider is made available
- a copy of the Critical Incident Stress Handout is made available
- the well–being of the affected member, their family and co–workers are a priority
- all reporting requirements are met
