TRAUMA INFORMED POLICING and JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Realize the widespread impact of Trauma on citizens and first responders alike
Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in citizens, self and colleagues
Respond by fully integrating knowledge of trauma into policies, procedures and practices
Resist Re-traumatization actively through trauma informed and compassionate responses
INTEGRATING KNOWLEDGE OF TRAUMA INTO PRACTICE
Universal Precautions
You have to assume every person you come in contact with in a professional manner may have a history of trauma or adverse childhood events. By incorporating trauma-informed standard practices we can increase safety, improve cooperation, and resist re-traumatization.
Felt Safety
The most basic thing to keep in mind is when a person with a background of trauma or toxic stress comes in contact with any member of Law Enforcement or the Justice System, they may already feel unsafe. The uniform or authority figure alone may remind them of past experiences where they felt unsafe, and they may have the physiologic reaction that they had in the past. When this happens the Survival/Emotional part of the brain is dominant and they have less access to their Rational/Neocortex brain. They may not hear and process instructions, and they may not be able to take in new information. The first thing to do, if the situation is safe, is to project that to the person. Use a calm voice. In few words let them know they are safe right now. Once they are calm, they can take in your instructions.
Remember that all adults you come in contact with were once a child, and many of them experienced high levels of Adverse Childhood Events during that time which affects how they interact with the world. When things become too calm, people who come from an environment that is chaotic will sometimes create chaos with their words or actions because that is what feels normal to them. Sometimes this is testing your response. They may expect an abusive response because that is what they have experienced in the past. Your calm response can show that you are a safe person and they can let their guard down to take in new information from you. The best way to help yourself remain calm is to not take their actions or words personally, practice mindfulness, deep breathing, and check out the below resources.
Respect
You can show respect by using calm and respectful language. You may also consider what needs they have. Do they have an unmet need that is making them more likely to be uncooperative or unable to pay attention? Are they hungry, thirsty, need to use the restroom, or need to communicate something? Meeting needs is how we build trust with others.
Information
When a person is dealing with law enforcement or the Justice System, they need to be given all pertinent information. It may help to give an explanation when things seem unfair or inequitable. Explanations may avoid feelings of disrespect or future confrontation. If you can tell the citizen is not taking in your information, you may need to reinforce their safety again before giving information.
Predictability
By informing citizens of what will happen next and what their role will be, you can increase their felt safety and reduce the experience of trauma. In a prison or residential setting this would also be accomplished through routines and schedules. When schedules or routines change you will want to give notice ahead of time to reduce the feeling of unpredictability.
Choices
When a person with authority shares authority by allowing others to make choices, it can reinforce that authority, while also increasing the feeling of safety and personal autonomy. Allowing two choices that are both acceptable, when it is safe to do so, may be a way of connecting, increasing safety, avoiding confrontation, and meeting needs. Choices provide empowerment to victims and having a sense of some control is one way to lower the physiologic stress response.
Realize the widespread impact of Trauma on citizens and first responders alike
Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in citizens, self and colleagues
Respond by fully integrating knowledge of trauma into policies, procedures and practices
Resist Re-traumatization actively through trauma informed and compassionate responses
INTEGRATING KNOWLEDGE OF TRAUMA INTO PRACTICE
Universal Precautions
You have to assume every person you come in contact with in a professional manner may have a history of trauma or adverse childhood events. By incorporating trauma-informed standard practices we can increase safety, improve cooperation, and resist re-traumatization.
Felt Safety
The most basic thing to keep in mind is when a person with a background of trauma or toxic stress comes in contact with any member of Law Enforcement or the Justice System, they may already feel unsafe. The uniform or authority figure alone may remind them of past experiences where they felt unsafe, and they may have the physiologic reaction that they had in the past. When this happens the Survival/Emotional part of the brain is dominant and they have less access to their Rational/Neocortex brain. They may not hear and process instructions, and they may not be able to take in new information. The first thing to do, if the situation is safe, is to project that to the person. Use a calm voice. In few words let them know they are safe right now. Once they are calm, they can take in your instructions.
Remember that all adults you come in contact with were once a child, and many of them experienced high levels of Adverse Childhood Events during that time which affects how they interact with the world. When things become too calm, people who come from an environment that is chaotic will sometimes create chaos with their words or actions because that is what feels normal to them. Sometimes this is testing your response. They may expect an abusive response because that is what they have experienced in the past. Your calm response can show that you are a safe person and they can let their guard down to take in new information from you. The best way to help yourself remain calm is to not take their actions or words personally, practice mindfulness, deep breathing, and check out the below resources.
Respect
You can show respect by using calm and respectful language. You may also consider what needs they have. Do they have an unmet need that is making them more likely to be uncooperative or unable to pay attention? Are they hungry, thirsty, need to use the restroom, or need to communicate something? Meeting needs is how we build trust with others.
Information
When a person is dealing with law enforcement or the Justice System, they need to be given all pertinent information. It may help to give an explanation when things seem unfair or inequitable. Explanations may avoid feelings of disrespect or future confrontation. If you can tell the citizen is not taking in your information, you may need to reinforce their safety again before giving information.
Predictability
By informing citizens of what will happen next and what their role will be, you can increase their felt safety and reduce the experience of trauma. In a prison or residential setting this would also be accomplished through routines and schedules. When schedules or routines change you will want to give notice ahead of time to reduce the feeling of unpredictability.
Choices
When a person with authority shares authority by allowing others to make choices, it can reinforce that authority, while also increasing the feeling of safety and personal autonomy. Allowing two choices that are both acceptable, when it is safe to do so, may be a way of connecting, increasing safety, avoiding confrontation, and meeting needs. Choices provide empowerment to victims and having a sense of some control is one way to lower the physiologic stress response.
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