08-04 Appendix B - Guidelines for the Support and Assistance of Affected Members Flashcards
What is the Rationale?
The following guidelines have been developed to assist the Unit Commander in consultation with the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)/Peer Support Volunteers (PSVs), Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Liaison/CIRT Coordinator to provide appropriate support.
Considerations
- The Officer in Charge, supervisor, EFAP Liaison/CIRT Coordinator, CIRT/PSV and/or the Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC), as required, should consult with the unit commander of the affected unit as early as possible on the best course of action. Consideration should be given to addressing the following areas, as required
- scheduling of the mandatory defusing and debriefing sessions for involved members
- personal safety issues
- communication between family and the Service
- transportation of immediate and extended family
- spouse’s needs
- childcare
- financial needs
- home maintenance
- pet care
- assistance from the Senior Officers Organization and Toronto Police Association
Family Notification and Liaison
- A person who is close to the affected member (i.e. partner, immediate supervisor, etc.) should conduct the
initial notification of the affected member’s family. This is subject to logistics and exigencies of the situation and upon approval by the unit commander or designate.
Family Notification and Liaison
- Provide accurate information to the family. It is imperative that the notifying member have the most
accurate and up to date information and be in contact with the hospital and the member’s home unit until the last minute before notification is made.
Family Notification and Liaison
- Consider designating one (1) person as the
information contact at the scene/hospital to provide up to–date information to the notification member, the Officer in Charge at the home unit and the TPOC, and to liaise with Communications Services.
Family Notification and Liaison
- Arrange for cellular telephones for the designated
family liaison, the notification member and the information contact at the scene/hospital, if necessary.
Family Notification and Liaison
- The Chief of Police should contact the family only after the
initial notification has been completed.
Family Notification and Liaison
- One (1) member from the affected member’s unit should be dedicated to liaising with the
family for the initial critical period. This person should have a cellular telephone and be on twenty-four (24) hour call with the family to provide assistance and support as required. Additionally, a back–up person should be designated to assist, as required.
Family Notification and Liaison
- The unit liaison should meet with the family and determine the
immediate needs. Further meetings can take place as required. The liaison may consult with Psychological Services and/or the EFAP Liaison/CIRT Coordinator as necessary.
- Address any safety concerns of the family.
Transportation
- Whenever possible, unmarked vehicles should be used to
transport family members.
Transportation
- In exigent circumstances, may seek the assistance of
other police agencies to transport family members. This request should include a detailed briefing on the circumstances of the incident.
Hospital Access
- Ensure a quiet private location is provided for
the initial meeting between the affected member and family.
- Ensure the number of police officers and members of the public permitted access to the member is controlled and kept to a minimum.
- Ensure liaison is maintained with the media at the hospital but access to the facility by the media is controlled. Contact Corporate Communications through the TPOC for assistance.
Media and Release of Information
- Corporate Communications should be immediately requested to handle all media inquiries. All calls for information received at the unit should be referred to Corporate Communications.
- No information of a personal nature SHALL be released without the consent of the affected member or family. A member’s telephone number and home address, including the name of the city, town or community SHALL never be disclosed, unless requested by the affected member.
- Efforts should be made to shield the family from media attention, wherever possible.
Other Members
- Relieve the members of the platoon/squad (including civilian staff and management) from duty as soon as practicable. This effort should be co–ordinated with the Officer in Charge of the scene.
- If necessary, seek the assistance of neighbouring divisions and other units to maintain divisional operations when the platoon is relieved.
- Involved members of Communications Services (dispatcher and call taker) should be relieved of their duties as soon as practicable.
- Members (including Communications Services personnel) who have been relieved of duty should be directed to report to a designated location to permit the process of defusing to begin.
- When the platoon is scheduled to go on days off the next day, consider returning the members for a debriefing in a timely manner. This also permits members to be updated personally concerning developments. Psychological Services can be contacted for guidance, if required.
- Any member may self–identify as a victim of critical incident stress. Refer such member to the EFAP Liaison/CIRT Coordinator or CIRT/Peer Support Volunteer for support/assistance.
General
- Consider requesting a special
budget project number for expenses related to the incident.
