SNHU Agents of Change Podcast · SNHU Social Sciences

Season 3 Episode 8 Critical Incident Aftermath for Law Enforcement

August 2, 2023·27 min·2 clips

Dr. Evans found that the death of a child is the top factor causing critical stress issues for law enforcement officers.

This episode examines the psychological and professional aftermath for law enforcement officers involved in critical incidents. Host Dr. Hector Garcia interviews Dr. Michael Evans, a use-of-force expert and former officer with 25 years of experience. Dr. Evans specializes in human performance factors during high-stress events. A critical incident is defined as any event causing feelings of helplessness or horror, ranging from officer-involved shootings to responding to child fatalities. Dr. Evans cites Mitchell's 2016 definition and notes the increasing frequency of such events due to factors like mental health crises. He explains the "spillover effect," where trauma from work negatively impacts an officer's personal life and relationships. Common coping mechanisms include increased alcohol use, prescription drug misuse, and social isolation. Agencies often isolate officers after an incident for about 96 hours to allow the brain to reset, which can unintentionally start a harmful cycle. One surprising insight is that the death or serious harm of a child is the number one factor causing critical stress issues for officers, per Dr. Evans's PhD research. The South Carolina Post-Critical Incident Seminar is highlighted as a successful intervention, involving a three-day program with mental health professionals, EMDR therapy, and peer support. A participant in this program reported sleeping for the first time in 146 days following their incident. Dr. Evans argues that while stigma around mental health persists, proactive agency support—like covering treatment costs—can improve officer retention and performance. He connects officer wellbeing directly to community safety, noting national staffing shortages affect service quality. The conversation is educational and grounded in professional experience, with both hosts drawing on lengthy law enforcement careers. The tone is conversational yet informative, focusing on systemic solutions and personal anecdotes. This episode would deeply interest current or aspiring law enforcement professionals, mental health practitioners in crisis fields, and community members seeking to understand policing challenges. Listeners preferring highly political or debate-focused commentary on policing might find this clinical perspective less engaging.

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