ONE BAD DECISION
All it takes is one bad decision to change your life. This includes taking a chance and drinking more than you should. Given all of the resources that we have, why do employees of our Department continue to get arrested for alcohol and/or drug-related incidents? Is it that they don’t think they will be arrested? […]
DEPUTIES: MINISTERS OF GOD?
Joshua, Moses’s lieutenant, exhorted, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). In the Psalms, often attributed to King Solomon, we find, “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and […]
PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PARENTING
I recently had lunch with one of my mentors, who’s a seasoned child, adolescent and family psychologist with a local practice. As we began discussing the roller coaster of parenting, I conveyed some of the challenges I was experiencing in my own journey as a parent. He said something that struck me. “Parenting is never […]
PLAN AHEAD
Working at Psychological Services Bureau’s Substance Abuse Resource Program (SARP) has its perks, like working with great docs and having wonderful office staff. However, the unfortunate aspect is receiving private emails with information on who has been arrested for drunk driving. Although the details differ for each employee, I always reach out to any impacted […]
A DEPUTY’S MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN
Would you like to reduce your stress, be happier and think better? We all know the basic drill is to eat well, work out and get enough sleep. But what about mind and spirit? Research shows that meditation (or prayer, if you prefer) improves your ability to slow your mind down, let go of distractions […]
THE “JOY” OF MAKING MISTAKES!
John Wooden is a name I suspect most of you know and respect. Former head coach at UCLA, the “Wizard of Westwood” brought home 10 national championships in 12 years, including a record-breaking seven in a row. A big part of his formula for success? Ironically, a willingness to make mistakes! “If you’re not making […]
PROTECTING THE PROTECTORS
During the holidays, many law enforcement officers head to the bars, ready to relax with a few and put the job on the back burner. Unfortunately, many deputies and other first responders drink more than just on the occasional holiday; they often use alcohol as a coping mechanism year-round to handle highly stressful jobs and […]
WHAT WE CAN SAY TO AVOID PAIN
Working in the law enforcement field, one becomes very familiar with grief and assisting an individual, family or group going through the grieving process. As a result, law enforcement officers have developed professional skills to provide support and guidance in these situations, and this skill set is a large part of what makes them effective […]
WALKING WHILE DRUNK
Thousands of inebriated pedestrians die each year in traffic accidents. I’ve seen drunk people wandering into the street after drinking at various locations in the evening. When you get drunk, you think you’re invincible. You may not be paying attention to anything else. That could have deadly consequences. Whether they’re emptying out of bars, going […]