8 - Debriefing and body recovery: police in a civilian disaster

Summary

Creation can come from the experience of destruction if lessons are learnt and practice changed.

(Gibson (1996, p. 57))

EDITORIAL COMMENTS

This chapter provides a detailed discussion of Alexander's experience and research in the management of two groups of police officers involved in body handling and recovery after a major oil rig disaster. Of particular interest are the structures and processes that were set in place and appear to have contributed to positive outcomes. There is also the advantage for a programme of previous occupational health and safety research that allowed for a matched control group of officers to be identified. The structures included: careful preparation, including: support for the use of humour, and talking with colleagues; provision of defusing and debriefing by experienced and skilled senior police; backup by the specialist mental health clinicians who were well known to the group, including the author, from previous work with them; pairing of younger and older workers; and a supportive general culture. These workers showed positive outcomes three months and three years later, believing that their work had enhanced their skills and self-confidence. They felt competent to do this type of work again. The workers reported the use of black humour and talking to colleagues as helpful strategies; good morale, interpersonal relationships and eYcient organization were also seen to contribute positively. Keeping things to oneself was seen as neither helpful nor popular.