Indianapolis – June 10, 2024. Police officers are regularly exposed to tragedy, trauma, and heinous crimes, placing them at increased risk for developing debilitating mental health issues like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Left untreated, PTSD can result in a profusion of unpleasant symptoms including feelings of despair, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. PTSD and other forms of mental illness can also impact a police officer’s ability to make prudent life-saving decisions, which can potentially put the officer, the officer’s colleagues, and the citizenry in harm’s way. Officers who fear being fired for developing a mental illness may forego help and suffer in silence, and some may not even be aware that they’ve developed a mental illness.
New Jersey bill A4135 / S3296 would help address this gap by requiring each county in the state to establish a law enforcement crisis intervention program. The bill was re-introduced earlier this year by Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis and Assemblyman Roy Frieman on the Assembly side and Sen. Kristin Corrado on the Senate side. The bill is in committee for consideration. The Assembly bill can be found here, and the Senate bill is here.
This bill is also known as the Craig Tiger Act, named for a Phoenix police officer who developed PTSD after having to use fatal force, was subsequently fired from his job, and ultimately committed suicide. In response, then-Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed the Craig Tiger Act into law in 2018. New Jersey is following Arizona’s lead with a similar bill.
Current New Jersey law allows each county to establish a law enforcement crisis intervention program. These programs offer debriefing and counseling services to officers who have been involved in incidents that can potentially create job-related mental health issues.
The Craig Tiger Act would mandate each county to establish a crisis intervention program. The program would provide officers with 12 counseling sessions with licensed professionals, and if required, 24 additional sessions.
In addition, the Craig Tiger Act would:
Expand the definition of “critical incident”
It includes incidents where officers have witnessed death or disfigurement; have been involved in rescuing someone in harm’s way; have responded to or investigated crimes against children, or situations in which children have drowned or nearly drowned.
Allocate dedicated time for counseling
Police agencies would be prohibited from requiring officers to use their own paid time off to attend counseling sessions.
Ensure no loss of pay or benefits
An officer who is ultimately unable to return to work would not lose pay or benefits for up to 30 days after the initial incident.
Mandate reports
Each county intervention services advisory board would be required to compile and submit data about the program to the State’s Department of Community Affairs, Legislature, and Governor.
“No police officer should have to suffer in silence with PTSD or any other job-induced mental health trauma. And they shouldn’t have to forego help for fear of losing their employment status,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, the National Police Association. “The Craig Tiger Act gives our officers the help they need while protecting their jobs. It’s the right thing to do not just for the men and women of law enforcement, but also for the communities they serve,” Fitzsimmons added.
We applaud Assemb. Drulis, Assemb. Frieman and Sen. Corrado for introducing this critical bill, and we encourage all states to incorporate similar legislation.
About The National Police Association: The National Police Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit Educational/Advocacy organization. For additional information visit NationalPolice.org
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