Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn gives an update on recovery mechanisms being utilized after the tragic January 4th shooting.
Vaughn recalls that there were many surrounding counties law enforcement and medical teams in Perry on January 4th to assist with the needs of citizens. First responders are never hesitant to act quickly to help those in need, but traumatic events can weigh heavy on them. Chief Vaughn tells Raccoon Valley Radio what services the Perry Police Department offers to their staff following such an event.
“So we provide assistance. We do like debriefings with our officers, and even with our families to some extent because they kind of get a little bit traumatized by the work we do and by some of the things we say also. We have those mental health debriefings where we kind of talk through things a little bit about how we’re feeling and what we experienced that day and what our roles were. And then there’s services provided for those officers if they need further help or whatever.”
Vaughn highlights these practices are newer in law enforcement as he explains when he first entered the department, he was taught to minimize showing emotion.