ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q1-2025

Continued from "From Conflict to Care", on page 15

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRUST-BUILDING In the community, a positive and often overlooked benefit is using police EMS to offer various levels of training to the community, industry, churches, and other governmental agencies. This effort can go a long way in building trust, empowering individuals, and breaking down barriers. AEDs and Stop the Bleed Kits already exist in most schools, public buildings, sports arenas, and throughout industry. Why not teach people to use these existing tools? Doors can be opened by making the effort to teach courses such as Stop the Bleed, CPR, AED, EMR, and EMT. This creates opportunities for community engagement, builds and strengthens relationships, provides successes and confidence, and can lead to career paths in both EMS and law enforcement. All of this can further reduce the polarity between law enforcement and the communities they serve.The inclusion of EMS training within law enforcement not only saves lives but also transforms the relationship between police and the communities they serve. It empowers officers with the tools they need to be effective first responders, reducing the likelihood of tragic outcomes and fostering a more positive public image. THE PERFECT STORM The job of law enforcement is no longer what it used to be. Like many fields, it has been forced to evolve and change with the times. Historically, the image of a police officer was one of a community pillar who walked a beat, interacted with individuals and with the community and represented order and safety. Whether it was Andy Griffeth or the image portrayed by Norman Rockwell, the message was the same. He or she was a representative of a moral code and someone who could be trusted to assist. Children were taught to seek out a police officer if lost or in need. He/ she was a trusted figure. In reality that figure has represented different things in different times to different communities – not all good, depending on geography, region, culture, and ethnicity. It is likely that if surveyed, the results would show that most law enforcement officers chose the job for the right reasons:. to uphold justice, to protect people and property, and to serve oth ers. Over the last several decades, society's perception of police officers has degraded, forcing both police and civilians to see mutual interactions as ones of survival. No longer does the badge universally represent order, courage, honor, and safety. Instead, it has degraded largely to enforcers, and even warriors, focusing on self-safety and self-preservation. The worsening polarity and increased risk of injury or death that is routinely encountered as part of the job has forced officers into a defensive posture. Being constantly on the defense results in “hypervigilant” behavior that keeps officers and the interacting public in a state of “constant on.” Constant hypervigilance has been shown to be a psychologi cal liability that frequently results in post traumatic stress injury and eventually PTSD. 5 This is seen in high crime communities, in war-torn countries and in soldiers returning from deployment. A large contributor is likely influenced by the fact that the field has become highly saturated with many men and women who have had recent military experience. This is mirrored by similar numbers of civilians reintegrating from the military into society. When both parties are forced to interact with each other, the risk can escalate exponentially. Psychological trauma cannot be ignored as a con tributing factor impacting both society and law enforcement offi cers. It is often the inciting factor that draws both groups together. When both are primed with a heightened baseline existence the stage is set for conflict often impeding simple resolution. continued on page 30

Robert, Emergency!, Real ResQ, Deputy, and Resuce 911 have all featured the LA County Sheriff’s Office performing heroic medical and rescue operations. Because of the positive press that has featured their expanded scope, the LACoSD is perceived equally as both a rescue organization as well as law enforcement. Philadelphia Police Department (urban): Since 1996 the Philadelphia Police Department has provided emergency medical transportation for penetrating trauma victims and for some medical emergencies. This has led to several trauma centers designating police drop off areas at the emergency departments. The Philadelphia PD has benefited greatly by the positive press associated with police transport to trauma centers. By regularly transporting critically injured patients to trauma patients. The communities see officers as acting to save lives in addition to enforcing the law. The men and women of the Philadelphia Police Department have also seen improvement in morale directly associated with prioritizing life and humanity. • New York City Police Department Emergency Services Unit (urban): The NYPD ESU has existed since 1926 when first formed as the Emergency Services Squad. Today ESU exists under the Special Operations Division and its members are cross-trained for police, medical and rescue work. The NYPD ESU is regularly used as a tool to promote the NYPD and is often featured in film and TV and by the media performing rescues and saving lives, in place of, or alongside of the NYFD. This, again offers an opportunity to reframe how the public sees and relates to police officers. These few 4 examples highlight the success of law enforcement agencies that have embraced an expanded role, serving their communities not only as enforcers of the law but also as rescuers and as a community resource. THE IMPORTANCE OF DUAL ROLES IN POLICING For law enforcement, the ever-increasing polarity between the police and the public continues to grow toward becoming an insurmountable hurdle, especially in the face of racial disparities. However, where there is chaos, there is also opportunity. Rescuing policing can begin with rescuing people and teaching others how to aid and assist. Adding a medical skill set to police departments is not a new concept, but it is one that can have a far-reaching positive impact. By empowering officers to triage and render effective medical aid, and by bringing these skills to communities in the form of training and education, we create a multifaceted ambassador. This individual can not only fill the gap in emergency medical response that preempts EMS arrival but can also serve as a reliable asset to the community. THE BENEFITS OF POLICE EMS PROGRAMS The rewards of police EMS programs are far-reaching. These programs have and will continue to save lives, especially in cardiac and trauma emergencies where seconds count. The benefits, however, extend beyond direct patient care. They also serve to improve officer and agency morale by empowering officers to make a difference in new and especially meaningful ways beyond enforcement. This eliminates helplessness and can positively impact post-traumatic growth and resilience, going a long way in maintaining officer wellness and sustainability.

16 FBINAA.ORG | Q1 2025