Critical Incidents

Law Enforcement

The field of modern law enforcement, encompassing roles like police officers, sheriffs, highway patrol, and dispatchers, routinely confronts situations that are both unique and perilous, setting it apart from other professions. These members of the first response community frequently face the more traumatic elements of human experience. The graphic nature of their work means they are often more susceptible to adverse reactions following critical incidents. Despite their resilience, it's crucial to remember they are human too.

The following are examples of traumatic events that can affect those in law enforcement:

  • Line of Duty Death (LODD)

  • Serious injury to a colleague

  • Unexpected death of a co-worker

  • Sudden death of an individual in custody

  • Witnessing particularly gruesome scenes

  • Encountering dismemberment or significant blood loss

  • Dealing with severely burned individuals

  • Incidents involving critically ill or injured young children

  • Suicide of a colleague or civilian

  • Murder/suicide cases

  • Death of hostages

  • Assaults on oneself or others

  • Direct threats of violence towards officers, colleagues, and family

  • Officer-involved shootings, regardless of justification

  • Controversial officer-involved shootings

  • Officer taken hostage

  • Release of perpetrators due to compromised evidence

  • Civilian casualties or serious injuries during department operations

  • Equipment failures in critical situations (e.g., firearms malfunction, communication breakdowns)

  • Breakdown in incident command structure

  • Encounters with overwhelming force

  • Threatening conditions involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)

  • Intense exposure to death and dying

  • Incidents with strong sensory impacts (e.g., smell of blood or decomposition)

  • Personal connections to victims

  • Identification with victims

  • Victims resembling themselves or loved ones

  • Multiple traumatic events in a short span

  • Unsuccessful prolonged resuscitation attempts

  • Interactions with distressed and demanding family members

  • Any situation impairing the functioning of one or more individuals

If there's uncertainty about exposure to a critical incident within your law enforcement organization, contacting Dr. Brown for a consultation is recommended. He can assist in evaluating the incident and advising on an appropriate response.