Intimate Partner Abuse: What if Your Abuser Is a Cop?
Domestic abuse in police families is rarely talked about until it makes headlines. How often it happens and how prevalent it is compared to the general population is a mystery. Even experts in the field of officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV) cannot find any...
When It Comes to Dying, Cops May Be Their Own Worst Enemies
The headlines are horrifying. Nine New York City police officers have committed suicide since the start of the year. Chicago PD lost six officers to suicide in an eight-month period. According to Blue H.E.L.P., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping officers...
Sticks and Stones: Why That Old Children’s Rhyme Is So Wrong
In this era of hate speech, it is words that hurt and words that heal. A few weeks ago I shared something controversial on my Facebook page. Some readers found it offensive. I understood why. What I didn't understand and still don't, is the vehemence of their...
Work-Life Balance: Myth or Reality for First Responders?
Picture this: My husband, Steve and I, along with several friends are in the Sierra mountains, sitting around a campfire telling stories. (There may have been a little beer involved). As they have every other backpacking trip, the group asked Steve, who is originally...
Dead in the Line of Duty: What Comes Next for the Families?
National Police Week begins May 6, 2019. Thousands of law enforcement officers and families from around the world will converge on Washington, DC to honor those who have died in the line of duty and to care for their survivors. I’ve never been to Police Week, even...
Women Make Good Cops. Why Aren’t There More of Them? A personal take on the short history of women in law enforcement.
I have seen a lot of changes in law enforcement since I became a police psychologist more than thirty years ago. While things are better for women officers than they have been in the past, in my opinion, there’s plenty of room for improvement. March is women’s history...