The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce the 2019 Impact of Trauma on Law Enforcement Officers Conference at Christopher Newport University, in Newport News, Virginia on September 17-18, 2019.

Law enforcement officers are often exposed to traumatic events, and the cumulative effects of witnessing human suffering and tragedies. While law enforcement officers are trained to handle the most critical incidents like homicides and active shooter events, the daily accumulation of stress, anxiety, and trauma are rarely addressed. Such exposure can weaken the mental well-being of officers and affect their ability to perform their duties to the public and live healthy lives outside of work. The potential long-term effects of trauma in police officers may additionally lead to behavioral dysfunction such as substance abuse, aggression, and suicide.

To assist in addressing these concerns, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is pleased to offer this two-day conference on the impact of trauma in policing to provide information, awareness, resiliency tools, and support.  The conference will include personal stories from officers involved in national tragedies, like the Boston Marathon bombing, the Sandy Hook shooting and officer involved shootings.

Don’t miss this essential training opportunity for all sworn law enforcement officers.

Who should attend?

This conference is open to sworn law enforcement officers only.

Topics to be addressed

• Overview of Trauma in Law Enforcement Agencies
• Personal Effects of Trauma on Law Enforcement Personnel
• Trauma’s Effect on Personal Relationships
• Law Enforcement Encounters and Stress
• Resiliency and Self-Care and Physical Fitness
• Critical Incident Stress Management Programs
• Lessons in Resiliency and Recovery
• Police Officer Suicide and Prevention
• And more!

Partial In-service Credit

Law enforcement officers who complete this training are eligible to receive partial in-service credit hours.