Police chief praises new mental health initiative
GREENWICH — Greenwich police commanders are praising a new initiative signed into law this week by Gov. Ned Lamont providing added levels of mental health care and workers compensation for firefighters, police and parole officers.
The measure will provide emergency workers compensation in certain situations that result in mental or emotional impairments, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
There are certain mental health concerns for people who work in law enforcement, Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey said.
“Police in particular are at high risk of developing PTSD due to the nature of their jobs. This law will provide access to treatment for those affected,” he said.
“The bill does a number of positive things in its effort to address the effects of exposure to trauma to police and fire personnel,” Heavey said in a statement. “The Town of Greenwich has a robust Employee Assistance Program as well as peer support for their emergency response personnel. The bill also addresses prevention though training, which is another positive step.
“It is my hope that in the next legislative session that law makers strongly consider including emergency medical personnel, dispatchers and correction officers as they are often exposed to the same work place stress as police and fire personnel.”
Lamont signed the measure Wednesday at a firehouse in Waterbury.
“First responders dedicate their lives to the safety of our neighborhoods, and we owe it to them to be there when the actions they took to protect others causes injuries to themselves – regardless of whether those injuries are physical or mental,” Lamont said. “Modern scientific research is showing the immense impact that mental health issues can have on a person, and our statutes should reflect that.”
Jim Rascati, a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Yale University who has trained officers in Greenwich, testified in support of the bill.
Police administrators noted the Greenwich department has offered mental health support and counseling for years before the latest measure.
Working in emergency services can be traumatic, said Greenwich police spokesman Lt. John Slusarz. The department had been offering “guided debriefings” for officers who had been involved in “significant incidents,” he said.
“It’s geared toward the wellbeing of the responders,” the lieutenant said.
“We’ve also had peersupport groups,” he added. Speaking of the new state laws, Slusarz said, “This is going to help even more — another avenue of professional care.”
Testimony in the State Capital this year has put the spotlight on mentalhealth services available to emergency responders. The issue gained extra attention after the Sandy Hook School shootings in Newtown.
Sen. Dan Champagne, RVernon, who spent more than two decades as a police officer, told fellow lawmakers, “Police work is not easy. You see the death of children, gunshot victims, domestic violence,” among other terrible things, the senator said. “Many officers commit suicide because they don’t get the therapy they need.”
Coverage will be available to police officers, parole officers, and firefighters who witnessed a person’s death, treated a person who dies shortly thereafter and other situations.