In the demanding field of law enforcement, exposure to trauma is often seen as an inevitable part of the job for sworn officers. Yet civilian staff such as dispatchers, administrative personnel and evidence handlers are also affected by trauma, albeit indirectly. Secondary trauma, also known as “vicarious trauma,” occurs when people who are not directly involved in traumatic events experience emotional stress due to repeated exposure to others’ suffering. In a law enforcement agency, both sworn and civilian employees can experience secondary trauma, which, if unaddressed, can have serious effects on mental health, work performance and overall well-being. Understanding this impact, recognizing symptoms and building a toolbox of coping strategies can help all personnel maintain resilience and support each other in this challenging work environment.
UNDERSTANDING SECONDARY TRAUMA IN THE WORKPLACE
Secondary trauma affects those who encounter distressing information about traumatic events. Civilian employees may experience it when processing detailed reports, reviewing disturbing evidence, hearing distressing calls or even hearing other personnel talk about a traumatic event among themselves. Sworn officers can experience it when they empathize with victims, assist traumatized families or even support colleagues dealing with intense experiences.
Secondary trauma can blur the line between personal and professional lives, creating stress not just on the job, but at home as well. It can lead to feelings of sadness, irritability, hypervigilance and detachment from work and others. Civilian personnel may question their reactions, believing they “shouldn’t” feel affected since they weren’t on the scene. However, secondary trauma is a recognized response to sustained exposure to traumatic material, and it can have significant emotional consequences.
RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS OF SECONDARY TRAUMA
Recognizing secondary trauma can be challenging, as symptoms often develop gradually. Common signs include emotional numbness, anxiety, fatigue and difficulty concentrating; physical symptoms like headaches, sleep disturbances and irritability; and behavioral changes like withdrawing from friends or family and becoming increasingly cynical or pessimistic. Sworn and civilian staff may also experience a diminished sense of safety, with civilian employees feeling uneasy in their everyday environments and sworn personnel feeling worn down or helpless in the face of persistent trauma. The stigma around mental health issues in law enforcement may lead individuals to ignore these feelings or assume they’re just “part of the job.” Recognizing the signs is a crucial first step in managing secondary trauma before it intensifies.
EFFECTIVE COPING STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING SECONDARY TRAUMA
1. Mindfulness and grounding exercises: Practicing mindfulness, paying attention to the present moment without judgment, can help reduce stress. Grounding techniques such as deep breathing, taking breaks to step outside or focusing on a specific physical activity can help calm the nervous system when feelings of stress arise.
2. Routine self-care: Engaging in self-care routines outside of work, including exercise, hobbies and quality time with loved ones, is essential for mental health. Activities like journaling or engaging in creative hobbies can help release stress and restore a sense of normalcy after exposure to distressing material.
3. Setting boundaries between work and home: Developing rituals to separate work and home life, such as changing clothes, listening to music or engaging in a hobby immediately after a shift, can help prevent trauma from “bleeding over” into personal time.
4. Engaging in professional support: Accessing counseling, such as with PSB, or speaking with peer support can provide a confidential space to work through trauma. These services are specifically designed for sworn and civilian personnel, offering tools to manage stress and promote mental well-being.
If you need help with this or would like to speak more about anything mentioned here, feel free to reach out to the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB). PSB provides support to all members of the Sheriff’s Department. If you would like a confidential appointment or consultation with a PSB psychologist to discuss ways to improve your work–life balance, support employees and support supervisors, please call the Psychological Services Bureau at (213) 738-3500. To obtain additional information, you may also visit our intranet site (https://lasd.sharepoint.com/sites/lasd_intranet/SitePages/psb.aspx).