Sharing my policing experiences on the job in rural communities. Help was so far away, it was like being on the moon. The unpredictability of each call and each highway stop is stressful, not knowing who has weapons, how many people and what is their intent. Knowing that you are alone.
After a shooting officers reflect ‘that could have been me.’ The community is also shocked and traumatized. Small rural communities knows every one and their families. There is a sense of ‘why and what happened’ that never has answers.
It is important for this involved to be given the supports needed for their mental health recovery, both police officers and those living in the community. Sometimes we are not aware of how a violent event can affect us.
“https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/video/2018/08/30/retired-rcmp-talks-on-the-job-dangers/” by Mike Albanese CITYnews