Officer-involved shooting: reaction patterns, response protocols, and psychological intervention strategies
Miller, L.
International Journal of Emergency Mental Health 8(4): 239-254
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1522-4821 PMID: 17131770 Document Number: 598429
Psychologists who work with law enforcement agencies may be called upon to respond to an officer-involved shooting (OIS). These need not be the most traumatic critical incidents in policing, but when they are, the reasons usually involve a mix of incident characteristics, officer response styles, and departmental handling. This article describes some of the psychological reactions experienced by officers during and following an OIS and provides a model of administrative, legal, mental health, and peer support services for officers in need. Finally, the article discusses several key roles that the police psychologist can play in the process of managing an OIS.