Watertown Police Join Critical Incident Stress Management Team

WATERTOWN, MA – The Watertown Police Department is joining a newly created law enforcement initiative that focuses on officers' resiliency and wellbeing when responding to critical incidents.

WPD is one of eight greater Boston departments to join the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team, a program founded and facilitated by the Cambridge Police Department.

In addition to the Watertown and Cambridge agencies, officers from Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Chelsea, Everett and Somerville have signed on to the team. Members of the regional group will serve as peer support officers who may have been affected by critical events.

Each participating department has up to five officers trained in Critical Incident Stress Management acting as liaisons; these officers will attend group crisis interventions, demobilizations and debriefings as needed, help mediate conflicts and provide ongoing support.

"Following the events in Watertown in 2013, we came to realize how important this critical incident team is to have in place," said Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. "This regional team gives us a valuable tool to be better prepared to serve our officers."

Image via Watertown Police Twitter