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As law enforcement, we are often called to deal with people reportedly suffering from
PTSD. Whether it is actual or just suspected, we are often the first call family
members make when they don’t know what else to do. We are also in a profession that
wades through the types of trauma associated with PTSD. Many of us may have people in
our own departments who are experiencing the symptoms of PTSD and not even know
it. With that being the case, it is incumbent upon us to learn as much as we can to bet-
ter recognize, prevent, and treat PTSD. Being a neighbor of Joint Base Lewis McChord,
we found an excellent resource through the Madigan Army Medical Center’s Department
of Behavioral Health graciously provided very detailed information about the causes and
symptoms of PTSD. I will attempt to paraphrase here the information they provided but
I strongly recommend reaching out to experts in your own areas to provide more in-depth
training. I think you will find, like we did, that the experts in this field are eager to educate
and share what they know.
PTSD can result when a person is exposed to a traumatic event that involves the
threat of death, actual death, or serious injury to themselves or others and which involved
a response of intense fear or helplessness.
After the traumatic event there is no set timeline for when symptoms will appear, it
could be months or even years later. When they do, there are three primary categories of
symptoms; re-experiencing the trauma, avoiding reminders of the trauma, and increased
anxiety or emotional arousal. These symptoms persisting for more than one month are
indicative of the presence of PTSD.
To the individual, symptoms may present as recurring dreams or intrusive thoughts about
the traumatic event, or intense psychological and physiological responses to reminders of
the event. What others may see in the individuals is a diminished interest in favorite ac-
tivities or general withdrawal. They may also notice sleep difficulties, irritability, trouble
concentrating, or a muted range of emotions.
In addition to the symptoms, we can watch for
risk and resiliency factors associated with PTSD that
can affect the level of susceptibility to PTSD and
also the ability to cope with conditions conducive to
PTSD. Not surprisingly physical and psychological
health before the event can have an impact. Those with
a history of PTSD or depression, substance abuse, or
high stress are at greater risk. Conversely, those who are
in good physical health, with coping strategies in place
and social support are more resilient.
There are also things we as leaders can do to
help build resiliency. We can provide training and
education that builds confidence in the face of trau-
matic events, provide peer and social support, and
make options available for evaluation and treatment.
In addition to keeping an eye on those around us,
the example we set in how we take care of ourselves
is as equally important. Maintaining our own fit-
ness, both physical and psychological, participating
in social activities and maintaining emotional aware-
ness are critical to staving off and coping with PTSD
and setting the example for others to follow.
Having read through this I hope it provided
a little practical insight into what PTSD really is.
In reading through this, and any other literature on
PTSD, you will notice that nowhere does it say that
PTSD makes someone steal, lie, or commit violent
crimes. It is simply a psychiatric diagnosis that can
be treated and, to some extent, prevented. I will
leave you with an analogy that has helped give me
some measure of context to PTSD.
Moving through life is like one long road trip.
The adversities we face muddy the windshield and
cloud our view of the world. Some choose the clean-
est, safest roads they can while others, particularly
those of us in the military and emergency services,
choose the roughest, dirtiest roads with the under-
standing that our windshields are going to be dirty
and our views of the world will be obscured. Most
can maintain their view, although clouded, through
the grime of the road. Some of us, those with PTSD,
have driven the muddiest of roads so all that can be
seen is the dirt and filth of adversity. These are not
monsters, nor are they irreparable. They simply need
help cleaning their windshield, getting back on the
road, and regaining their view of the world.
About the Author: Mike Zaro began his career in Law Enforcement
in January of 1994 with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.
In the fall of 2004 the City of Lakewood formed their own police
department and Mike left Pierce County to help form the new de-
partment. He has worked as a Patrol Deputy, Detective, Patrol Ser-
geant, Professional Standards Sergeant, and has been the Assistant
Chief with Lakewood P.D. since June of 2008. In addition to his
official duties, Mike held the collateral positions of Union Presi-
dent, Chair of the Pierce County Metro Canine oversight commit-
tee, and Team Commander for Pierce County Metro SWAT. Mike
holds Bachelor degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology from
Washington State University, a Master of Arts in Administrative
Leadership from the University of Oklahoma, and is a graduate of
the 240th session of the F.B.I. National Academy.
We have all heard the plethora of news stories over the last
several years that either mention the general topic of or
describe someone suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). These are often stories of a person who has
had an emotional break and either harmed themselves or
committed a crime that is attributed to PTSD. Unfortunately
there are few stories that actually educate people about the
true cause and effects of PTSD and even fewer stories about
the many people who suffered from it, sought treatment,
and overcame it. This prevalence of negative associations can
only have the effect of creating and perpetrating a stereotype
that is both negative and harmful to the individuals and their
families dealing with true PTSD. Many may not seek treatment
out of fear of being portrayed as some sort of broken monster
who might snap at any minute. The truth is, true PTSD is a
specific diagnosis with specific causes and is, most importantly,
very treatable.