Gordon Graham
Category: Law Enforcement

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for everyone in public safety, and it’s about something called “betrayal trauma.”

Please invest the time and attention in problems your employees share with you. Listen carefully. Acknowledge their concerns.

Over my five decades in public safety, I’ve attended many academy graduation ceremonies. During these events, it’s common for the chief to welcome new recruits with words like, “You now have two families – one at home and one here with your brothers and sisters in the service.”

Folks, this is absolutely true. One of the defining characteristics of a career in public safety is that it is much more than a career. But sadly, I’ve seen way too many organizations where leaders failed to live up to these words. They lose touch with the realities their frontline personnel face every day. Support for member well-being becomes focused on short-term issues like managing sick time. Legitimate stress-related injuries are summarily dismissed.

This organizational betrayal is tantamount to arriving home one day and finding everyone has left you and the house has been sold – except it happens at work. Being betrayed in this manner is traumatic to say the least.

So, leaders, think about the support you provide your personnel. You probably have an “open-door policy” whereby you invite staff to bring you issues and concerns. When personnel walk through those doors, are you genuinely welcoming? Or are you disinterested or just too busy?

Please invest the time and attention in problems your employees share with you. Listen carefully. Acknowledge their concerns. Offer ideas and resources for help. Thank them for bringing the matter to you. And finally, follow up to ensure the situation has been resolved.

Also, remember that not everyone who hears about the open-door offer will be comfortable approaching you. It is essential to periodically reach out to everyone on your staff, not just those who take the initiative to come forward and talk.

Betrayal trauma in public safety is real. It is also completely preventable. But it requires real leadership – leadership focused on supporting personnel like they truly are our family.

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.