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Title Administration / Policy B-16
Effective Date 11-1-06
Rescinds 9-13-04
Subject Psychological Guidance / Assistance
Purpose To establish policy regarding employee psychological guidance or assistance.
Scope This directive applies to all personnel.
Reference Code of Conduct Section 2.7
CALEA  
  1. Scope:
    1. Members of the department may be involved in incidents or events that can have a traumatizing effect
      on the employee.  These incidents or events can occur on or off duty.  Employees may seek assistance
      through the Employee Assistance Program sponsored by UT Human Resources for personal and
      workplace concerns.
  2. Direction:
    1. Employee involved incidents or events occurring either on or off duty, that would require either psychological guidance or assistance or would justify the need for such guidance as recommended or requested by employee, supervisor, commander, or Chief of Police may involve:
      1. On duty: Officer involved shooting, homicide or suicide investigations, serious work related injuries, or certain incidents/investigations which may involve stress to the employee.
      2. Off duty: Officer involved shooting, personal problems effecting job performance or other significant emotional events.
  3. Conditions:
    1. Deadly force incidents will require an officer to be evaluated by a mental health professional before returning to active duty. Other incidents deemed critical may require an immediate psychological evaluation or employee assistance.
    2. Other incidents or events that are classified as non-critical, but appear to directly or indirectly effect the performance or the employee and their emotional stability, may also require psychological evaluation and assistance.
      1. The employees first line supervisor should meet with the employee on these incidents to determine if there is behavior exhibited that might point to the need for counseling. A written report will then be forwarded to the Chief of Police through the employee’s commanders. The Chief of Police will decide if the counseling is mandatory.
    3. An employee may seek psychological guidance or assistance for other incidents or events with or without departmental intervention to include:
      1. Emotional or Psychological concerns
      2. Anxiety and Depression
      3. Stress
      4. Substance Abuse
      5. Grief and Loss
      6. Communication Problems
      7. Relationship and Family
      8. Parenting
      9. Relationship Violence
      10. Job Stress and Burnout
      11. Conflicts at work
      12. Career Issues
      13. Referrals
  4. Process:
    1. Supervisory or command personnel can recommend to the Chief of Police that an officer is in need of psychological assistance.
      1. The employee’s first line supervisor should meet with the employee on these incidents to determine the facts in support of psychological assistance.
      2. A written report will then be forwarded to the Chief of Police. Documentation should include the incident/event that the officer was involved in and a summary of the supervisor consultation with the officer.
      3. If the Chief of Police determines that psychological assistance is necessary, the officer will be notified, placed on administrative leave with pay and advised that the counseling assistance is a mandatory condition of employment.
      4. All mandatory psychological services are the financial responsibility of the department.
    2. Employees may seek the services of Employee Assistance during regular duty hours with the approval of their supervisor.  If confidentiality is a concern of the employee, they may take leave as with any other personal appointment.