CREATION OF A MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
FOR OFFICERS INVOLVED IN INCIDENTS
CAUSING SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL CONCERNS

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with your Board members.  Enclosed you will find additional information relative to our discussion.

In short, what I am creating is a system that safety people can access when they develop psychological conditions which place them at risk.  The concept would be as follows:

EDUCATE
THE PUBLIC
so that . . . 

➡ PRIVATE
FUNDING
will occur,
leading to . . . 

➡ CREATION OF A MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
for officers involved in incidents causing significant emotional concerns.

The project would be funded for five years.  At the end of three years, it would be revisited to see what needs to be done to enhance it or change it to ensure the needs of the officers for whom it is intended are being adequately met.

This program initially would be utilized in San Diego County and Imperial County.  To benefit from it, an officer would simply need to show that he or she is indeed a safety officer, thereby creating access to the opportunity to have five to seven visits with a psychiatrist or psychologist.  These professionals would have familiarity with law enforcement, and would agree to participate in a ride-along at least once every 18 months to maintain their connectivity with the safety officers.

The treater/counselor would assist troubled officers in realizing that the solution to their problems is NOT suicide, but rather receiving the proper care, counseling and redirection.  A foundation of comfort would be created such that the safety officer would be willing to return to the EAP program offered by the employer

What I have observed in the unfortunate suicide cases in which I have been involved is the lack of a bridge between the officer and the treater, as the officer undergoes decompensation creating enhanced concerns regarding sharing or discussing any problems with either peers or an EAP person.  Among these concerns is the fear that sharing the information might hamper the officer’s career or make him/her appear to be an individual who should not be engaged in law enforcement.  The bridge concept would alleviate this concern and open the door for extended treatment to minimize an officer’s problems and allow him or her to attain a higher level of functionality.

In the cases in which I have been involved, officers have decompensated because of extraordinary events while on duty, such as being involved in a shooting where they took the life of a suspect; or facing a dangerous situation where they were threatened or shot at; or being at the scene where another officer they know has been seriously injured or killed.  These types of situations, whether over a short period or a long period, impact more officers than we realize. 

This impact is detrimental not only to the officer and his/her family, but also to the Department.  As you are aware, the greatest harm is when an officer misperceives the only solution to his/her situation to be suicide.  Obviously, suicide is not the solution.  The bridge I wish to create will provide emotionally-troubled officers with alternative views from skilled professionals who can offer mechanisms to minimize any consideration of suicide. 

The success of this program will be dependent upon the various POA’s, deputy sheriff associations and other law enforcement groups embracing the concept.  With their embrace, it then would be appropriate to seek the endorsement of various legislators.

SUCCESS
OF THIS PROGRAM
is dependent upon . . . 

➡ EMBRACE
OF THE CONCEPT
by various law enforcement groups, reinforced by . . . 

➡ THE ENDORSEMENT
OF LEGISLATORS
who recognize the value
of the program and lend their support to it.

This is essentially the same template I utilized in developing the 911 Fund, an organization created after September 11 to assist safety members and their families impacted by that tragic event.  In all, the 911 Fund raised over $1,800,000 for the purposes intended.  The approach was to get the various POA’s, deputy sheriff associations, and fire groups to embrace the concept.  Once they had done so, various legislators felt comfortable in embracing it as well, and were willing to associate their names with it.  At that point, I paid for ads to articulate the purpose of the Fund, and over a period of time funding occurred.

The goal for the new program would be to acquire approximately $500,000 and form a 501(c)(3) corporation and use this as a deduction.  The corporation would be administered and controlled by a group of five to seven individuals who would obtain guidance from psychiatrists and psychologists as to the proper protocol to be utilized.

The assembly of various officer associations and legislators is paramount to the success of this program.  I would ask that you please give consideration as to your potential involvement.  Please note the San Diego PORAC, San Diego POA, San Diego DSA and Chula Vista POA have already extended their endorsement.

Thank you for your attention to the foregoing.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Very truly yours,

LAW OFFICES OF O’MARA & HAMPTON

Scott A. O’Mara
Attorney at Law

SAO/jb