Police, Protests, and the Killing of George Floyd
A police psychologist's 9 ideas for change in these turbulent times. This has been a tough week for me personally. I’ve been fielding calls from friends, relatives, and news outlets. They want to know if I can explain police behavior. They point to the egregious,...
Social Distancing? Not If You’re a Cop: Part 2
I have been a student of Buddhism for more than a decade. It’s been personally useful and has influenced the way I practice psychology. Just this morning, I was reading from The Issue at Hand, Essays on Buddhist Mindfulness Practice by my teacher, Gil Fronsdal. The...
Social Distancing? Not If You’re a Cop
13 tips to help you and your family through this pandemic. As a police psychologist, I am used to responding to crises and offering my help to first responders and families when they need it. It feels bad to be told to stay home, shelter-in-place and even worse to be...
When Cops Kill: A Memo to Cops and Their Families
The aftermath is not what you may think or see on TV. After 30-plus years as a police and public safety psychologist, I remain convinced that policing is one of the most stressful and complex occupations in the world. What other job requires you to be combat-ready at...
Defeat Stigma: A New Year’s Resolution for First Responders
How annual mental health check-ups can help first responders cope with the job. I just read this quote from a firefighter: “I wish my head could forget what my eyes have seen.” I don’t know the man, but if I did, here’s what I’d say. “Sorry, friend, it just doesn’t...
The Wisdom of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache
“There are four things that lead to wisdom. You ready for them?" She nodded, wondering when the police work would begin. "They are four sentences we learn to say, and mean." Gamache held up his hand as a fist and raised a finger with each point. "I don't know. I need...