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Tools for Law Enforcement

Tools in this section have been gathered and vetted for their usefulness and relevance to a wide range of law enforcement agencies. After completing the VT–ORG for Law Enforcement, use the VT–ORG Scoresheet and Action Plan to analyze the results and prioritize the areas of organizational health you identified as challenges. Then, use the resources and research literature in the toolkit to implement strategies to build your capacity as a vicarious trauma-informed organization.

We work in a time where peer support is a critical component of law enforcement—as important as our flashlight, handcuffs, weapon, or ballistic vest. There are numerous local and national support services for first responders. My humble suggestion is that we become students of our craft and never stop looking for the help that we will inevitably need. As a peer support unit director, the degree of help we provide is met with an equal responsibility to care for ourselves. To help others, we must recognize the need to help ourselves first.

Sgt. Christopher J. A. Scallon, Norfolk, Virginia, Police Department

 

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Organizational Strategies

 

 

Compendium of Resources

Each of the over 500 listings in the Compendium of Resources includes the resource title, source, and author or developer, as well as a general description identifying the category, discipline, organizational strategy, topic, and CDC code, if applicable. Research literature items include full bibliographical citations.

Blueprint for a Vicarious Trauma-Informed Organization

For a step-by-step guide to strengthening your organization's response to vicarious trauma by using this toolkit, see the Blueprint for a Vicarious Trauma-Informed Organization.