Fostering resilient police officers and their families: a field practicum report

Abstract

This paper is an incorporation of self-reflection, current literature, research, and theory based on my Master of Social Work field practicum experience with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police F Division Peer to Peer Program in the Workplace Relations Unit. Over a six-month period, my role as a MSW student was to provide consultation with RCMP officers and recommendations to senior managers about organizational best practice techniques, for mental health support to ill/injured police officers and their families. I facilitated and aided in enhancing best practice approaches for Regular Members and their families while recovering from a duty related incident. I worked directly with the Peer to Peer Coordinator where I met with families, participated in team building activities, attended meetings and professional development training with senior leaders. My natural ability to connect with others, build positive networks and working relationships within communities has been an asset to the success of my practicum experience, and partnerships with local community partners. I have successfully strengthened partnerships among several internal units along with external community programs that enhance the support for all categories of employees and their families of the RCMP, that include regular, civilian members and public servants, at both the community and organizational level. This report discusses my experience as a University of Regina Master of Social Work student with a macro agency, the RCMP F Division Workplace Relations Peer to Peer program. An overview of the agency and the Peer to Peer program are included in this report. Theories are applied at both micro and macro levels through an ecosystems approach and social support model. And lastly, both narrative and clinical approaches as well as a discussion of social work ethics, and skills, that were utilized to provide mental health support to injured police officers and their families will be discussed.