What happens when an officer encounters someone whose behavior is being shaped by trauma? Can understanding trauma help officers recognize the difference between someone who is intentionally resisting and someone who may be responding out of fear, anxiety, or a previous traumatic experience? And can trauma-informed training give officers additional tools to communicate, de-escalate situations, and potentially produce safer outcomes for everyone involved?
We also have to talk about the other side of this conversation: the trauma experienced by law enforcement officers themselves. Officers routinely witness violence, death, abuse, serious accidents, and people experiencing some of the worst moments of their lives. How does that repeated exposure affect decision-making, emotional health, relationships, and the way officers interact with the public?
Joining me for this important conversation is Dr. Lorenzo M. Boyd, Ph.D., a law enforcement leader, educator, author, and advocate who brings extensive experience to the discussion about policing, leadership, community relationships, and trauma.