The Value of Crisis Intervention Is Critical

  As a retired police officer of 28 years with prior experience for six years as a mental health counselor, I can attest from firsthand experience the job of a law enforcement officer is difficult and continues to get even more dangerous all the time.

  I have read endless stories of concern when things go awry at a police intervention. No one likes seeing the cops show up. Usually, such a sight can bring anxiety to many, even those not experiencing a crisis moment.

  Luckily, I was only injured a handful of times and none too seriously. However, other officers I have worked with or known in other departments have been seriously injured. Sometimes it is just plain good luck or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Wrong place scenarios

can happen at a moment’s notice.

  I have had friends in other police departments who have had to take out a person in psych distress, something no one ever wants to do but when it comes down to staying alive yourself, bad things can happen.

  I am glad to know that Revere police officers have been getting crisis intervention training which stresses ways to de-escalate mental health calls. Training gets you to think about your responses to stress during stressful situations. Training is but a springboard going forwards.

  During my career in mental health, I was constantly getting trained and retrained, and eventually I started teaching younger cops in my department how to better handle situations with hurting anyone or getting hurt yourself.

  I have always believed that along with crisis training, one must have good common sense. My job was always to protect others, even the ones who were in crisis at the time you met up with them.

  Crisis intervention training is never a waste. The more you know about them, the more you get to know about yourself.

  P.S., I liked the news that the school police officer now has a community resource dog in training named “Charlie.” Lessening stress is always a positive in any kind of situation one might find themselves in, right?

  Hey, anyone have a comment on this or any piece I write? I would be interested in your opinions on something I wrote. Send it to sal.giarratani@gmail.com.