1

Deputy Smithcom Case Study

Name

Institution

Course

Date
 2

Deputy Smithcom Case Study

After reading the case, I am compelled to say that, had I been in Deputy Smithcom's

position, I would have responded to the disturbance call instead of completing the paperwork for

the missing person's report. In any line of duty, it is important to prioritize tasks and respond to

emergencies first. In this case, putting the missing person's information on hold while responding

to the disturbance call that reported gunfire and a wounded person would have been the best

course of action. It would have been beneficial for Deputy Smithcom's superiors to provide him

with the time and equipment he requested so that he could cope with his grief and

embarrassment. In addition, if I were in his situation, I would have urged him to discuss his ideas

with his colleagues and superiors and advised him to consult a therapist or counselor.

In addition, I would have given him time off to assist him in coping with the awful

experiences he went through. I would have also been more willing to communicate and discuss

my feelings with my family, friends, and colleagues. It is important to remember that emotions

are normal and valid and that it is okay to talk about them, which is essential to reach out for

help if needed (Stevens, 2008). I would have taken advantage of the counseling services offered

by the department and sought out therapy. Taking care of one's mental health is essential just as

much as physical health (Stevens, 2008).

As evidenced in the case, it is understandable that Deputy Smithcom was devastated by

the death of his close friend, but it is essential to remember that it was not his fault. Deputy

Smithcom should have reached out for help and not resorted to the police "code of silence,"

which implies never showing signs of weakness (Westmarland & Conway, 2020). This incident

should have been a wake-up call for him to take better care of his mental health and to

communicate his feelings instead of bottling them up.

 3

The strategies of 'Creating Awareness' and 'Promoting Expansion' to help individuals

open up and gain new perspectives are effective crisis interventions of plans (James and

Gilliland, 2017). If I were his supervisor, I would have encouraged Deputy Smithcom to create

awareness and provide support strategies allowing him to vent his feelings. Given the situation, I

would offer a safe and accepting environment for Smithcom to express his emotions and validate

that his responses are as reasonable as possible. Further, I would also support Smithcom by

checking in with him regularly to see how he is doing and offering to provide any resources or

support he needs, which encourages him to use the promoting expansion strategy to gain new

perspectives on the situation and help him reframe his thoughts. Again, providing individuals

with a safe and supportive environment to talk through an incident with other officers and

supervisors is an effective intervention (Magill et al., 2023). Finally, I would have offered him

time off from his duties and encouraged him to take time for self-care.

In conclusion, it is essential to ensure that police officers who experience traumatic

events in the line of duty are provided with the necessary support and resources to cope with the

grief and guilt they may feel. As a supervisor, it is crucial to recognize the heroism of the

officers, provide them with time off if needed, and ensure they feel comfortable talking about

their feelings.
 4

References

James, R. K. and Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies 

Magill, R., Collings, S., & Jenkin, G. (2023). The provision of comprehensive crisis intervention

by a charitable organisation: findings from a realist evaluation. Voluntary Sector

Review, 14(1), 43-61.

Stevens, D. J. (2008). Police officer stress: Sources and solutions (1st).

Westmarland, L., & Conway, S. (2020). Police ethics and integrity: Keeping the ‘blue code’of

silence. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 22(4), 378-392.