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Officer, Protect Thyself

January 1, 2013
Martin Halloran SFPOA Vice President

By Martin Halloran
SFPOA Vice President

I’m sure at one time or another most of us have heard that biblical proverb “Physician, heal thyself.” The phrase alludes to doctors being able to treat others that are suffering from illness but yet not recognizing or willing to heal themselves.

As police officers, we are faced with a myriad of issues on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis that we are forced to deal with. Many of us entered into this profession confident that we can make a difference and solve any problem presented to us. We put on the uniform, pin on the star, and strap on the gun belt. We go out on the street or we take the case assignment and tackle whatever the problem may be, leaving everything else in our lives on hold until this problem is solved.  Consequentially, our personal lives sometimes take a back seat. We put off the vacation with the spouse and kids. We miss the kid’s soccer games. We wait to see the doctor about that back pain. We tell ourselves “I won’t let it happen again. I won’t keep going on like this. I will make it up to them.” We say this again and again, trying to convince ourselves that we can do it all and be everything to everyone, but yet we often fall further into this trap.

There is no way -- and I mean absolutely no way -- that we as law enforcement officers can serve and protect the people who count on us if we fail to protect and take care of ourselves. During the month of December 2012, the SFPD lost three active and one recently retired officer. These officers were all fine men in their own right, but I found myself asking common questions about all of them. Did we lose these officers because they gave everything they could to this department? Did they sacrifice their own health and well-being so that others may benefit from their hard work or live a better life? These are questions for which I have no answers. I wish I did.  The funeral services are all over now, but the fond memories of these men will live on amongst their families, friends, and colleagues.

We have seen this happen before in our own agency and in other law enforcement agencies throughout the country. So how do we address this? One way -- and by no means is this the only way -- is the SFPD Behavioral Science Unit (BSU). This unit offers many services to our members that are completely confidential. Since my recent appointment to vice president of the SFPOA, I have become more familiar with this unit and the officers who staff these vital positions. BSU has given me permission to list their contact information below. I strongly urge members to take full advantage of these services, which can be accessed 24 hours a day. We need to take care of ourselves, in both mind and body, in order to better serve our community. Part of that care must be maintaining and strengthening your relationships outside of the law enforcement circle. Our profession is an honorable one, and I know the importance of strong bonds with your co-workers, but let’s not forget where we came from and our connections outside of the job.

Over the past holidays, I had a conversation with one of the SFPD chaplains. Father Mike Healy and I were discussing many things but we were focusing on the passing of these officers. At one point Fr. Mike said, “Always remember Marty, the river goes around the rock.” I thought about this later, and I suppose there could be a number of interpretations of this phrase. To me it simply means that as we travel on the river of life we will come across obstacles and we can, although with difficultly sometimes, get beyond those obstacles and continue on the river of life. The only thing I can add to this analogy is that if we find ourselves floundering on the river, let’s not forget there are lifelines all around us. Just reach out and grab one of them. Officer, protect thyself.

 

Slainte! 

 

Behavioral Science Unit (BSU)

 

BSU: (415) 837-0875 Fax: (415) 392-6273

Confidential e-mail: sfpd.bsu@sfgov.org

OIC Sgt. Mary Dunnigan (415) 806-6865

 

Stress Unit Alcohol/Substance Abuse Support

Off. Art Howard (415) 378-5082

24 hours answering service (415) 933-6038

 

Catastrophic Illness Program

Off. Pat Burley (415) 637-2328

 

Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)

Contact DOC for 24 hour response (415) 553-1071

 

MHN: Your free outpatient mental health benefit

(800) 535-4985

Confidential e-mail: members.mhn.com (company code SFPD)