6 years after deadly ambush, Dallas police will address officers’ mental health

By Anne Berleant 

DALLAS — Sergeant Oscar Figuera nonetheless remembers what occurred six years in the past – almost to the day – when a gunman ambushed and killed 5 fellow officers and a transit officer on July 7, 2016. A patrol officer on the time, Figuera instructed Dallas News that he re-lives that trauma on each anniversary of the lethal occasion. 

To assist enhance officers’ psychological well being, a brand new Dallas police program referred to as the “officer wellness initiative” will assist. This system was launched, partially, to handle the trauma officers skilled within the shootings’ aftermath but in addition to help officers with the trauma they see or expertise each day. 

“You present me a contented cop, and I’ll present you a contented group member,” Chief Eddie García instructed Dallas Information. “It’ll undoubtedly correlate to the extent of service as this program begins to develop.” 

The initiative options 5 parts: a cellphone check-in after a critical incident, a month-to-month publication of sources, surveys, coaching, and a full-time, five-officer wellness unit.  

This system consists of parts modeled off related police packages, together with the San Diego Police Division, whereas different parts are distinctive to Dallas, due to what officers skilled throughout and after the 2016 ambush, Assistant Chief Reuben Ramirez stated. 

Figueroa is now sergeant over the brand new unit. “We’ll get a response from the officers, like, the division’s actually doing this? They’re reaching out to us? You understand, we would have liked this for some time,’” he instructed Dallas Information. 

The last word purpose, Figueroa stated, is to present officers wellness instruments and assist earlier than they flip to self-destructive retailers over trauma and psychological well being points. 

The Assist the Officer Foundation has reported a 300% improve in officers in search of confidential counseling because the 2016 ambush, not together with officers who used different sources. 

NEXT: The benefits officer wellness programs offer to agencies

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