Page 96 - 2020 A Year in Review

The Cranston Police Department Peer Support team has been developed to provide

debriefing following critical incidents. The focus of this service is to minimize the
harmful effects of job stress, particularly in crisis or emergency situations. The
highest priorities of the team are to maintain confidentiality and to respect the

individuals involved. It is not the function of the Peer Support Team to replace
ongoing professional counseling, but to provide immediate crisis intervention and peer

support. The Peer Support Team provides emergency personnel a tool to alleviate
stress-related symptoms, as well as facilitating access to the departments Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) which offer additional counseling services, should they be

needed. The City of Cranston has contracted with Community Care Alliance of
Woonsocket to provide a wide range of Employee Assistance Programs including, but

not limited to counseling.

The Peer Support Team is comprised of ten (10) personnel, one (1) civilian and nine (9)
sworn officers. Selection of members for the Peer Support team shall be initiated by

the Chief of Police or his or her designee, by requesting nominations from all officers.
Members of the department may nominate any officer within the department they
believe would effectively serve in the capacity as a peer support team member. The

nominated officers are contacted, informed of their nomination, and asked if they wish
to be considered for the team. The Chief of Police or designee shall review the list of

nominees then select the candidate he/she believes is most suitable regardless of
seniority, to include but not be limited to addressing any need for representation
within a certain division or demographic within the department. If no suitable

nominations are received, the Chief of Police reserves the right not to fill the position
on the team at that time and may request that additional nominations may be

submitted. The Chief of Police has ultimate discretion in the selection of officers to the
team as well as the teams operating structure.

Within the past year, team members were deployed for several incidents. These
incidents include debriefings following critical/emergency incidents and officers

experiencing the effects of job-related stress.

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Cranston Police Department Year in Review 2020