The Employee Assistance Unit (EAU) recognizes that personnel, in the course of their assigned duties, may encounter incidents that result in varying degrees of emotional and psychological trauma. Unaddressed, these events can lead to serious problems, which may affect the ability of a person to function in a well-adjusted, productive manner. This stress may disrupt the emotional balance at the workplace and in the family home. By understanding the effects of these incidents and employing various stress management techniques, personnel and their families can take an active part in restoring stability and wellness to their daily lives.

Critical Incidents can include, but are not limited to, events which involve:

• The use of deadly force either by or against members of the service
• The line-of-duty death or injury of members of the service
• The death or injury of civilians present at an incident
• A catastrophe or mass disaster
• Injury or death of a child

Defusings and debriefings are conducted for all NYPD personnel affected by critical and traumatic incidents. EAU peer counselors are trained to identify signs that personnel may be traumatized. They provide suggestions on how to manage the stress and emotional reactions that can result from a critical incident.

EAU is dedicated to providing confidential emotional support to prevent debilitating stress and promote emotional well-being among all Department personnel and their families.

The threat of terrorism causes law enforcement to be vigilant in both prevention and response. This vigilance not only includes an operational plan but also a mental health plan. EAU peer counselors receive on-going training regarding the mental health responses to terrorism, disasters, and other public health emergencies. Our peer counselors provide Department personnel and their families with information and support needed to promote recovery and resiliency following these traumatic events.