Critical Incident Stress Management
Trauma affects everyone differently, and trauma can have serious implications for those who experience it. Police officers are subjected to higher rates of critical incidents than the overall public. This results in 15%-35% of officers having PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder compared to only 6% of the general population (NeuroLaunch editorial team, 2024).
Police departments across the United States have searched for answers to this predicament. While there is not much departments can do to limit the exposure to critical incidents, stress, and trauma the officers face, they can control how they deal with the trauma. A model being used for officers to deal with traumatic events is CISM, or Critical Incident Stress Management. CISM is a structured process where officers who witnessed the event are brought together to share their experiences and vent emotions. and learn about the reactions to the stress they are facing (Rosseau, 2026). This can be done immediately after a critical incident, a few days later, or both.
CISM is used in a group setting where officers can support and be supported by one another. There are four tools that are used in group CISM. The first is demobilization. That is a one-time group information process directly after the incident. The second is Crisis Management Briefings. This is a structured meeting style that focuses on the community aspect of organizational groups. This is meant to provide information about the incident, control rumors, and educate those involved on additional resources if they are needed. The third is Defusing. This is a shortened version of debriefing that is used for small groups within 8 hours of the event. The last is debriefing. That is a large group discussion about the events that took place. These tools are used together to help officers not feel alone and show them they are supported. Instead of isolation and overthinking, CISM sets out to show the officers they are not the only ones dealing with issues after a critical incident (Chapter 4 CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING (Powerful Event Group Support), n.d.)
There is no one answer to mental health, and specifically the response to a traumatic incident. CISM was designed and integrated with different steps and different approaches to provide support. There is a clear issue with officers having a high suicide rate, and PTSD diagnosis. CISM set out to confront these issues and is being adopted by more and more departments. There has been a long history of mental health stigmas in law enforcement. By using group techniques and having the actual officers involved providing the support to and from each other, progress will continue to be made.
References:
Chapter 4 CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING (Powerful Event Group Support). (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2026, from https://www.nzsar.govt.nz/assets/Downloadable-Files/Critical-Incident-Stress-Debriefing.pdf