CopShock: Second Edition
Surviving Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
by Allen R. Kates, MFAW, BCECR
Police Social Groups
One of the conditions that sets cops up
for depression and other onerous stress reactions is isolation. Social groups
help reduce the feeling of being alone or abandoned. The following is only a
sample of police social groups on the Internet.
International Footprint
Association (IFA)
The IFA was formed in 1929 to provide
camaraderie and fun for people in law enforcement, as well as to encourage
closer cooperation between police agencies. The Association promotes involvement
in charitable activities such as helping children, sponsoring boys and girls
clubs and awarding scholarships to young people interested in law
enforcement.
With over forty-one chapters and over 4,000 members,
membership is not only for police officers, but also for citizens from every
business and profession sympathetic to good law enforcement.
Go to:
http://www.footprinter.org. Write:
IFA, PO Box 1652, Walnut, CA 91788. Phone: 877-432-3668.
International Police
Association (IPA)
With a membership of over 270,000 serving
or retired police officers in more than fifty countries, the IPA offers
activities for police families involving travel, hobbies, professional seminars,
youth exchanges and sports events. Among countries represented are Australia,
Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the U.S.
For a
complete listing of websites worldwide, go to: http://www.ipa-iac.org. Their
preferred method of contact is email at isg@ipa-iac.org. Write:
International Police Association, International Administration Center, 1 Fox
Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6AJ England. Phone: +44 (0) 115 945
5985.
Thin Blue
Line
This online haven is difficult to categorize. Not only
is it a social, political and support resource, but it also offers information
on PTSD and stress, issues in the courts, injured officers, Police Week,
memorials and many other subjects.
Go to: http://www.thinblueline.com.
Top Cops On The
Internet
Visited by law officers, criminal justice
professionals and civilians around the globe, this site offers an exchange of
common interests through chat groups and links to many police, software and
associated sites. Its electronic newsmagazine in seven languages provides news,
views, jokes, heartwarming stories and reports about what it’s like being a
cop.
Go to: http://www.TopCops.com. Contact
Deborah Gulley, publisher and editor, at LawWoman@topcops.com.