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the 30 years that Chief Raymond Crawford has been
a member of the Nassau County Police Department,
his experiences have been diverse and abundant.
As the four star Chief of Operations and leader
of a 4000 member police department, his contributions
are significant. Chief Crawford has been active
in the development of policy involving domestic
violence and was recently appointed to the Commission
on Domestic Violence Fatalities by New York State
Governor George Pataki. He has overseen the rescue
effort of many tragic events including the Avianca
plane crash. Chief Crawford serves as an adjunct
professor at Long Island University (C.W. Post)
in the Criminal Justice Department. His sincerity
and genuine commitment to the police department,
and society in general, were most evident.
JSV: I know
that you work closely with Police Commissioner
Kane and County Executive Gulotta. Could you tell
me about your role as Chief of Operations with
the Nassau County Police Department?
RLC: To do that,
first, let me give you a sense of the structure
of the police department. The department is divided
into three divisions - the Patrol, Detective and
Support divisions. The Patrol division includes
the precincts, uniformed police officers on patrol,
special units such as the mounted horse patrols,
bicycle patrols, helicopters, boats, motorcycles,
highway patrol and traffic enforcement. The Detective
division, which essentially handles investigation
of crimes after the fact. Finally, there is the
Support division which houses the units that carry
on necessary functions which keeps the organization
running. This includes training and the police
academy, the Communications Bureau, 24-hour ambulance
service for the county, data processing and computer
experts, and building maintenance. Each of those
divisions is headed by a chief. I oversee day-to-day
operations and work with those chiefs as well
as consult with them on various problems and issues
(e.g., policy-level issues). My role is to act
as a bridge between the divisions and the chiefs
who are heading those divisions and the commissioner.
I am also involved with some special projects
that are broader-based issues such as domestic
violence. Quite a few years ago, I was appointed
as the coordinator for the department in the area
of domestic violence and policy development, and
coordinate our interaction with other agencies
such as the County Executive's Task Force for
Domestic Violence. Also, overseen by the Operations
Department is the Planning Bureau. This bureau
is involved in planning and research. They handle
our grant applications as well. Currently, we
are enjoying great success in getting funding
for a number of programs such as in hiring of
new officers and in developing partnerships with
the community. Recently, I was appointed to a
committee (by State Governor George Pataki) to
work on policies involving domestic violence so
that counties can do more to serve the victims
and the issue.
JSV: There
is research suggesting that work-related trauma
is a major contributor to police stress. Could
you comment on some of the possible factors that
you see as having an impact on a police officer's
overall level of emotional well-being?
RLC: I have always
looked at stress in two ways - the day-to-day,
life stressors that are experienced regularly
by most people and the other being a critical
incident or maybe a traumatic stressor that is
typically more intense and perhaps, localized.
(In addition to these types of stressors) I think
that police experience stress that may not be
solely related to the type of work that they do
in this sense. Obviously, there is some risk attached
to police work but, in reality, the risk is not
so high that policing is the most dangerous occupation.
But still, it has that image of heightened risk,
maybe because when police officers get injured,
it is usually in a combat situation. One form
of stress that I am particularly interested involves
the management of authority. Police officers,
by law, have a lot of authority (e.g., to make
an arrest, etc). The police in our society are
one of the few occupations who are empowered to
take freedom from individuals based on some standards
being met. They are visible authority figures
in the community. They are given great power but
asked to modulate or control the use of that power
carefully. They may not only have to make an arrest,
but also have to use deadly physical force legitimized
by law. This I think is a burden, not only one
that the police officer takes seriously but also,
most police departments have policies and guidelines
that require a police officer to carefully assess
a situation before that power is used - either
the arrest power or the use of force power. The
stress may come from having to be an authority
figure and also be restrained at the same time.
At given moments, you have to be the strong, dominant
authority figure and control a situation by voice
or physical control. At other times, you have
to be the caring, compassionate public servant
having to restrain your own personal emotions
which may become tested to a great degree. Stress
may also come from the amount of information that
the officer has to know (regarding the law), the
types of human judgments that have to be made
(e.g., who was at fault in the automobile accident?),
and from dealings with a bureaucratic organization.
Regarding this later point, the police department
has a hierarchy including ranks of authority and
sometimes that could contribute to interpersonal
stress. Finally, we have to consider the work
schedule. The police department functions 24-hours
a day, 7-days a week which requires the assignment
of people to work day and night. Not only is the
biological clock affected by this, but it also
rotates frequently. From studies that we have
looked at, this seems to have an impact on people.
With regard to
traumatic stress, officers respond as part of
their work to a broad spectrum of events. Some
are pleasant experiences such as delivering babies
(especially, after the fact). But as you know,
police officers are more likely involved in situations
where somebody is suffering a tragedy. This could
involve a death in the street such as an auto
accident or homicide. The situation could also
involve notifying the family that their son, daughter
or father has died some place and the family is
first being told of this news by the police. That
happens on a daily basis where a police officer
is assigned to do that kind of thing. We have
to consider auto accidents, maybe involving multiple
deaths - accidental but yet innocent victims dying,
dead or severely injured. The officers experience
that as human beings even though we try to prepare
them for it as professionals. And then we get
to the higher level of critical incident such
as the Avianca plane crash or the TWA crash where,
not only is there a major event, but the incident
itself is so big that it creates stress because
of its size and scope, and because of the potential
for chaos and mismanagement. Of course, then there
is the reason that we are responding. There are
people who are killed, injured, and/or in the
midst of dying or in great pain and in need of
great and quick care. The officers could spend
hours or days at some incidents. My experience
is that it has a human impact. I experienced it
myself at Avianca even though I am aware of it
and we try to make all of our people aware of
the possibilities of the impact of these incidents
on their lives. Sleep difficulties months after
the incident were experienced by many people in
the department, as well as by myself, from having
been there.
JSV: Oftentimes,
exposure to tragic and, at times, overwhelming
events, can challenge the coping abilities of
even the "strongest" individuals we
know. What have your observations been regarding
the manner in which police officers and detectives
respond to their repeated encounters with critical
incidents of death (e.g., from accidents, suicide,
etc.)?
RLC: My first
instinct is to say that they cope with them by
closing them off. It becomes as if it is "happening
in another world." This seems to be a prime
coping mechanism as to not allow yourself to get
emotionally involved in the incident. You might
consciously be aware that there are emotions involved
in the transaction or event, that is undeniable,
but I think that officers tend to isolate themselves
by becoming so objective that they may seem unemotional.
I think that is a first impression that I would
draw from experience of over 30 years. However,
I think that this can be an ineffective and unrealistic
coping mechanism over time. That facade of objectivity
is only a facade and people are really being affected.
JSV: After
involvement in a critical incident (e.g., near
death experience), what provisions are made for
members of the department to receive support?
RLC: Some of the
mechanisms for support include training in the
risks and symptoms of stress (in the aftermath
of a tragic event), and in-services that are repeated
throughout the officers' career. Also, for a number
of years we have used a peer support program.
We activate the peer support groups at the discretion
of the commanding officer, or even the individual
police officer, when there is an incident that
has potential for traumatic effects. For example,
they may be utilized after the occurrence of major
auto accidents, a police shooting incident, and
certainly after major disasters. Peer support
involves other police officers who have been involved
with critical incidents (e.g., shootings) going
out and communicating with and making themselves
available for advice and support. As a part of
the response package, they go to the scene and
conduct debriefings much like you had with the
TWA disaster. Additionally, because of the apparent
benefit of physical exercise in coping with many
types of stress, we have established a physical
fitness program in the police department. We also
have an employee assistance unit that will provide
officers with professional one-to-one counseling
if they find themselves dealing with not only
incident-related stress, but also substance abuse
, marital difficulties, etc. In special applications
such as hostage negotiators, SWAT team members,
where potential exposure to critical incidents
is considerable, we give ongoing education about
the possibilities involved. There is also a drug-testing
program in the department aimed at monitoring
substance abuse; so far, the results are very
encouraging. I think that we are human beings
like all others. If the human experience is that
people break-down under stress and trauma, and
start to behave destructively to themselves or
others, then police officers are prone to these
behaviors as well. We are always looking for that
in the workplace performance and in other ways
that the officers may present it. We recognize
that as a potential problem.
JSV: How does
a police officer and/or detective receive psychological
preparation for the taking of human life in the
process of protecting themself, the public, and/or
fellow officers? Some have suggested that this
is one of the most difficult situations an officer
may have to face.
RLC: One of my
roles in addition to what I have described is
to head our Deadly Physical Force Response Team.
Whenever a police officer uses his weapon against
a person, a team of people go out and, in addition
to doing the criminal investigation, look over
the case to see if policy guidelines have been
complied with. Also, they will see if the weapons
involved are authorized and operated correctly.
Again, the peer support groups are utilized. There
does seem to be a real reaction by police officers
when called upon to use deadly physical force
(i.e., shoot somebody). Even with justification,
after the fact, police officers may review their
actions and feel as if things may have been done
differently. All of the training that we give
police officers, ironically, is to help people.
The main reason most of our people are out there
is to help people. When you take that and contrast
it with taking someone's life, I think it goes
against the instinct of most of our people - even
if it is justified. The reactions to the police
officers who get peer support have been positive.
Officers who have been involved in these situations
seem to appreciate this assistance and I would,
therefore, assume that they needed this type of
support.
JSV: There
is growing evidence that domestic violence is
a highly probable cause of traumatic stress and
in more severe cases, posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). What do you think could help the police
who respond to such calls to identify and perhaps,
assist survivors of domestic violence?
RLC: I don't think
that there is one specific thing. I think it is
important to consider this simple word - awareness.
I believe that society, and the police as a part
of society, are on a learning curve about domestic
violence. Within my career, we have gone from
a time where domestic violence was seen as a private
matter - literally. The police role was to quiet
it down so the neighbors wouldn't be disturbed
and to separate the combatants and let them, through
their own means and devices, work out their problems.
It has gone from that to a point now where we
are taking an aggressive approach with arrests
- but there is also some room for improvement
in where we put domestic violence on the priority
scale. Is it as serious as burglaries and robberies?
I think that some police professions would debate
that. I for one think it's as or more important
because it has a causative influence on stress
for the individuals directly involved in the domestic
dispute and the children in those households.
Studies have shown that these children are more
likely to have difficulties in school and be involved
with criminality in the future. Also, one other
interesting finding suggests that girls who are
in households where there is violence, are more
likely to become involved in relationships that
become violent. Apparently, ways to cope and deal
with anger and (how we manage) stress in a household
are learned behaviors. If you look at policing
as not only arresting people but also as a way
to prevent crime, the long view would suggest
that if we can reduce domestic violence, then
we could prevent crime and violence in the future
as these children grow up in better households.
Again, not to be social engineers, we are police,
but I think there is an important role to be played
in that arena. I think that awareness and the
recognition by the police and by the greater society
is probably the key to making things better. I
think that more research on the long term effects
of domestic violence and family dysfunction (is
needed). The family is where it all starts whether
it is good or bad. It is where success is rooted
and it is where failure is rooted. If we could
try to develop some standards for family success
or effectiveness, that does a lot for our society.
JSV: I know
that you were quite involved with the rescue effort
of Avianca (Flight 52) that crashed in 1990. In
what ways are police who respond to disasters
such as TWA (Flight 800) or Avianca, prepared
for what oftentimes becomes a gruesome and painful
experience? Do officers receive formal training
and/or education about traumatic stress and how
it can affect them and their families?
RLC: They are
prepared through training but I would have to
admit that their training is probably not adequate
for the most extreme disasters that sometimes
occur. Obviously, police officers are trained
to deal with death and to handle those crisis
when they occur. I don't think anybody envisions
deaths in the numbers that plane crashes typically
present - and also the physical dismemberment
and body conditions of the injured and deceased
are things that are gripping experiences and certainly
traumatic. Officers do receive training. They
are conditioned to deal with emergencies through
that training and experiences. We certainly advise
them of some of the potential symptoms and effects
of the stress on themselves and on their families
so that they do know notice those posttraumatic
symptoms (e.g., sleep problems, dietary changes,
etc.). They get awareness training on these issues.
In fact, the morning after the Avianca crash,
the issue of peer support was discussed. We had
hundreds of police officers at that crash over
the first 12 or 14 hours or so. We decided to
make the awareness process and peer support available
to everyone on a voluntary basis. Some people
voiced their opinion that "it wouldn't be
necessary", "you know, it's like a big
auto accident" and "what's the big deal."
Well, we had almost 300 police officers on their
own time voluntarily come to the peer support
debriefings. To me that indicated something very
real. These people, even though they are police
officers and had awareness training, these people
wanted that and likely needed it. That is an indication
that they needed more support.
JSV: In your
varied experiences with the police department
over the years, which traumatic event or events
would you consider as having made the most significant
impact on you, personally?
RLC: Certainly,
the Avianca plane crash was one that I would have
to mention both by its scope as a tragedy for
human beings and by its scope as a police response
incident. Although, when I was a new police officer,
literally two weeks on the police department,
there was a head-on collision on the parkway with
six people killed and cars bursted in flames.
People were still alive as the first police responded.
As somebody who was 21-years old and not really
familiar with the realities of life, sometimes
the tragic realities, that is one that still sticks
in my memory. I think that these experiences have
an impact on us as people. Just as (those events)
are in our memory, you think of your own children,
your own life and how fragile it can be. It makes
you more aware of those realities in life and
also the risks and uncertainties in life.
JSV: What things
do you like to do to relax after leaving a particularly
difficult day at Police Headquarters?
RLC: Police Headquarters
is a pretty exciting and interesting place. I
try to exercise regularly. I run 25 miles a week
or so and try to keep somewhat fit. I have not
yet found the Fountain of Youth but what are you
going to do? I like to garden, read, usually nonfiction,
about societal issues, politics, sociology, history,
etc. I also teach at Long Island University/C.W.
Post Campus where I am an Adjunct Professor in
the Criminal Justice Department. I teach courses
at the graduate level. I enjoy that very much
and find it relaxing. I have some family interests.
I have a grandson who is four years old now and
I enjoy that time.
JSV: Are there
any suggestions that you could give to fellow
law enforcement officials - police officers, detectives,
etc. - regarding the management of their own thoughts
and feelings surrounding trauma and their exposure
to traumatic events?
RLC: Never assume
that you know it all. Always assume that you are
not totally prepared, and need to explore, research
and learn a little bit more, not only in individual
decision-making, but in your approach to things
in general. The status quo is usually way behind
the times. Taking that approach may be healthy
and can keep you alive - to some degree.
JSV: The American
Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress is truly
a multidisciplinary association comprised of nearly
100 different specialties. Do you see an advantage
of including police officers and other emergency
services personnel under the same umbrella as
physicians, psychologists, dentists, etc.?
RLC: I see it
as a very positive step. My experience in other
groups where many disciplines are brought together
is that the exchange of information avoids duplicity
and misunderstanding. It allows for people to
deal with the resources that are available and
get advice from experts. The absence of those
experts may cause people to deal with the problems
intuitively and sometimes you won't always get
the best results, or deal with the problem by
not dealing with the problem as to avoid opening
a Pandora's Box. We may not know what to do, so
we would rather not do anything than do something
wrong. This paralyzes the process. So I think
that any time that you can bring experts together
who have experiences across the board and expertise
to contribute (as the Academy does), all people
will benefit.
JSV: As you
are aware, the Academy has recently introduced
a new level of membership - Associate Member.
This category aims to include professionals such
as police officers, paramedics, firefighters,
etc. who may not have received graduate degrees
(e.g., Masters, Doctorate), but have extensive
experience in working directly with survivors
of traumatic events. What do you see as the benefits
of including these professionals?
RLC: Certainly,
awareness would be enhanced and there would be
a sharing of information with people who might
have a more specific expertise. I have seen in
the literature that stress is being attributed
as a causative factor for disease (e.g., cancer),
certain emotional disorders, personality disorders
and marital break-ups. Stress may not be the only
factor involved, but we still see these things
and more - such as immune system breakdown, etc.
When our people (at the police department) are
made aware and involved in an educational and/or
professional experience that not only acknowledges
that but works toward dealing with ways to reduce,
minimize, or eliminate those stressors - to me
that is all good.
©1996 by The
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress,
Inc.
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