Mar/Apr 2017

ATTENTION TO ROLL CALL: You are dispatched to a shoplifter in custody. The suspect is now causing a disturbance, although the details of that disturbance are sketchy. The loss prevention officer indicates he needs an officer now! Describe your driving behaviors to get to the store. Will you use lights and/or siren? Will you exceed the speed limit? OFFICER SAFETY AND WELLNESS The Executive Board of the FBI National Academy Associates is dedicated to furthering the conversation on officer safety and wellness issues that impact the law enforcement profession. Each Associates Magazine highlights challenges that are inherent to the profession and present solutions to those looking to enhance their own personal resiliency or that of their agencies. S uch is a scenario posed by the Officer Safety Committee that is housed within the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA) . The Texas Po- lice Chiefs Association (TPCA) exists to “promote the highest standards of the police profession through selection and training of law enforcement officers” while striving for the highest degree of respect for law and order throughout the State of Texas (Texas Police Chiefs Association, 2012). Housed within TPCA is the Officer Safety Committee, which is made up of police chiefs, attorneys, doctors, and risk managers. Their goal: work to intentionally re- duce officer deaths and injuries. But how? In a conversation with staff members in 2015, Chief Stan Standridge (Abilene, Texas), asked what could be done to intentionally reduce such deaths and injuries. A response, and now the statewide strategy, was born – VINCIBLE . The committee recognized that nearly half of all nationwide peace officer fatalities are the result of driving too fast for conditions, not wearing a seat belt, not wearing body armor, or not being fit. Heart attacks routinely claim fifteen or more officers every year! The committee also fully considered all other reasons why officers, deputies and corrections officers die. Increasing core tactical competencies at all levels of any agency would mitigate many felonious deaths. ROLL CALL CONTINUED: State law requires officers to operate with appropriate regard for the safety of all persons, and it does not excuse police officers of the consequences for failing to provide that duty of care! Your department has a policy regarding emergency driving. When you drive outside of policy and state law, you can be criminally prosecuted and sued in civil court! By acting within law and policy, you limit your criminal and civil liability and you may save a life, including your own! ROLL CALL ENDS. This training scenario is one of many that are sent to Texas agencies weekly through email in support of VINCIBLE . The Officer Safety Com- mittee recognized that training will only be effective if it is relevant, recur- ring and at the agency’s fingertips. Fully developed in-house by the TPCA, each week’s training is predicated on 4 Cornerstones:

R E M O V I N G T H E “ I N ” F R O M U S TPCA’s Program to Reduce Officer Deaths and Injuries Stan Standridge

VINCIBLE