The ambush of police in Dallas, leaving five officers dead and ten wounded – with nine of the wounded also being police officers – has left our country and profession reeling. Protecting a demonstration protesting recent shootings of black men by white officers in Baton Rouge, LA and Falcon Heights, MN, reports on events prior to the sniper opening fire indicated the protest was peaceful and uneventful, and that the Dallas area cops assigned to it were getting along and interacting pleasantly with the gathered crowd. Dallas PD has, in fact, been recognized for its dedication to professionalism and high quality of relationships across all segments of the community under Chief David Brown. The repugnant and senseless attack on officers doing their jobs – hundreds of miles away from where the events that prompted the protests in the first place unfolded, involving cops none of the victims even knew or had any relation to except for a shared vocation – has devastated Dallas, the nation, and anyone who is or cares about the police.
Secondary Trauma and its Dangers to LEOs
The effects of Dallas on police officers even far removed from that city have been widespread; police officers across the country have been left feeling embattled, vulnerable, and outraged. Ever present concerns about the job’s inherent dangers – concerns that are generally acknowledged, understood, accepted, and managed – give way to fears that something like what happened in Dallas could happen to them. In fact, in the days following Dallas there were several reports of officers being set up for attack and ambushed, although it’s not entirely clear if those attacks were inspired by Dallas or the events in Louisiana and Minnesota. Regardless, coming on the heels of such a high-profile tragedy leaves the impression they may have been and copycatting is a legitimate concern. The need for increased vigilance is obvious, but the dangers of misplaced hypervigilance may harm far more cops, in far more insidious ways, than bullets ever will.
Secondary traumatic stress is emotional duress resulting when an individual hears about and closely relates to the trauma experienced by another (or others). Sometimes known as vicarious trauma, its symptoms can mimic those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with all the resulting short and long-term impact. Police officers often closely follow what goes on in the profession and with other cops, made all the easier with ubiquitous media and social networking, and feel personally connected to distant events. It makes sense, really, as trends spread, events in one locale influence responses in others, and policing as a profession assumes a somewhat tribal nature in how we think of and relate to one another and the public. An attack on Dallas cops feels like an attack on all of us because “there but for the grace of God…” and out of a natural sense of solidarity forged by the badge.
So when officers are ambushed and killed for simply doing their job, making its dangers real in a whole new way, it’s personal. When misunderstanding and frustration between protesters on one side, and cops on the other, have been renewed and heightened even as the actions and motives of both are analyzed, criticized, and debated ad nauseum by a pundit class that, frankly and regardless of where they fall on the issues, sometimes has barely the slightest clue about which it is babbling, anger boils over. And when the beliefs and words of even close family and friends might not support law enforcement in the debate, a sense of betrayal and distrust may leave you feeling adrift, untethered, and in pain.
According to Laurie A Perlman and Lisa McCann (“Vicarious Traumatization: A Framework for Understanding the Psychological Effects of Working with Victims”) “the effects of vicarious traumatization on an individual resemble those of traumatic experiences. They include significant disruptions in one’s affect tolerance, psychological needs, beliefs about self and others, interpersonal relationships, and sensory memory, including imagery.” For police officers, the effects can have far-reaching implications. When measured caution gives way to paranoia, the sense of self and purpose is undermined, interpersonal relationships suffer, and the perceptual framework through which we view and interpret the world is damaged, the resulting psychological and physical harm is considerable.
Vicarious and secondary trauma was first recognized among healthcare workers, particularly mental health providers, working with victims of abuse and trauma who formed empathic connections with trauma victims, although anyone can fall victim when closely connected empathically to a traumatic event. It is not uncommon among police officers, especially when the connection is to a fellow officer or someone particularly vulnerable (such as a child, elderly person, or an otherwise physically or emotionally compromised individual). The risk is real, the likelihood of any one of us falling prey great, and the fallout potentially devastating personally and professionally. The good news is how much power we actually have within ourselves to combat secondary traumatization.
Self-Care to Prevent (or Reverse) Secondary Trauma
Whether you recognize signs of secondary trauma within yourself or not, what follows are some straightforward self-care strategies to prevent or minimize its impact in a world of seemingly endless traumas:
Exercise – All exercise is good but science has indicated two forms, in particular, are probably best: running and yoga. Both have the benefit of exercising, stretching, and moving the body, of course, but scientific research into running and yoga show significant evidence both can improve cognitive function, lower stress, and contribute to overall emotional health along with the obvious physical benefits.
Exercise is one of the first sacrifices many of us make in a stressful, time-crunched world. It’s also one of the most beneficial things we should all be making a concerted effort to maintain, no matter what, for our own sakes and that of our department and community. Running and yoga have the added benefit that, if done right, they contribute to…;
Mindfulness – Described as ”a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique,” mindfulness is a way of simply being in the moment without agenda or need to fix what concerns us. A meditation technique whether achieved quietly, while still, or in conjunction with certain physical exertions, it has a strange but well-documented ability to center and calm those who practice it.
Being able to calm the cacophony of our external and internal worlds lowers stress hormones, blood pressure, and other physical manifestations of an emotionally charged world;
Rational Detachment/Healthy Diversions – Consciously disengaging from thoughts and concerns about work, the job, what is being said about the profession, and other sources of stress by choosing healthy diversions allows us to rest the brain, lower cortisol levels, and maintain a balanced life when the world’s information tsunami wants to keep us focused us on the latest law enforcement dramas. Rational detachment can also be a way to…;
Expand Your Worldview – Diversify your interests to diversify your thoughts and energy output. Over time it is normal we start focusing the majority of our attention on those things that occupy us the most. For cops this is often our calling, the career. Problems arise when we lose sight of continually learning and expanding our repertoire. Being lifelong learners drives us to take on new challenges, meet new people, maintain personal diversity, and be able to detach and recharge from work.
Getting off the endless news cycle, or at least looking away from the slew of police related stories in favor of “now for something completely different” might even give us a greater perspective and empathy for points-of-view different from our own, leading to a calmer, more inquisitive mind;
Seek Out Help – And finally, if it all becomes too much, you find yourself swamped in anger and obsession, your relationships are suffering, health slipping, or you start turning to unhealthy coping skills, consider turning to others for support and direct guidance. We often bury our emotions deep, trying to protect those we love from what troubles us inside, but this closes off valuable channels. Opening channels of communication with trusted friends, peers, pastors, or others can prove cathartic.
Law enforcement is facing critical times but we will get through it, as we always do. We really have no choice. Whether any particular officer survives emotionally intact is less certain. Take the steps to ensure you do.
