Law Enforcement Training Advisory Commission
840 S. Spring Street, Suite B • Springfield, IL 62704
Phone (217) 726-7014 • Fax (217) 726-7833 • Email [email protected] • Website www.letac.org
Ellen L. Petty, Director
Supervisors Course
November 7, 2014
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
LETAC Training Center
840 Spring Street, Suite B, Springfield, IL
(Please park in an unreserved space in our lot. Overflow parking is along Spring & Canedy streets.)
Instructor: Susan Lewis Simons, M.S., B.C.E.T.S., D.A.A.E.T.S. (See Bio – Attached)
Law enforcement can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding professions in our society. However, the challenges
are growing daily. The men and women who are “called” to this vital profession are exposed to all the traumas our
society has to offer and then expected to go home, merely shed the “garbage” at the end of the shift and peacefully co
habitat and communicate with their spouses/significant others i.e.: “Partners in Crime”. In order to become successful
and survive as “warriors”, they are forced to develop a persona that allows them to deal with daily insults, without
taking them personally and can lead to low morale and complacency. They shut down emotionally and distance
themselves from their families in order to protect them from the things they see on a daily basis and the “garbage” they
are exposed to. This can lead to negative job performance including poor decision making, excessive use of force,
depression, anxiety, anger issues, isolation, substance abuse, family/relationship issues and all too often suicide.
Justification for this Course: The American Institute of Stress states that:
1. 75-90% (187 million visits annually) of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related symptoms
2. Job stress costs to the United States Industry in excess of $300 Billion Dollars annually in:
 absenteeism
 diminished productivity
 employee turnover
 direct medical costs
 legal and insurance fees
 worker’s comp claims
 workplace violence
 liability
Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board Mobile Team Unit #10
Se r vin g th e C ou n ti e s of Ch r i sti an • De w itt • Lo g an • Ma con • Ma s on • Me n ard • Mon tg om e ry • San ga mon
Law Enforcement Training Advisory Commission
840 S. Spring Street, Suite B • Springfield, IL 62704
Phone (217) 726-7014 • Fax (217) 726-7833 • Email [email protected] • Website www.letac.org
Ellen L. Petty, Director
COURSE OBJECTIVE: To adopt a proactive approach to stress management through education, training, identification
and discussion of common and unique stressors in the ever changing field of Law Enforcement and the ways in which
the individual, the family, the organization and the public are affected. In doing so, there should be a reduction in the
harmful side effects which include but are not limited to attrition, unnecessary sick leave, low morale, substance abuse,
liability, divorce, suicide and other physical and financial manifestations which are debilitating to the individual, the
family and the organization.
COURSE OUTLINE:
I.
INTRO
II.
EDUCATION/TRAINING: (Agency Responsibility)
A.DEFINING STRESS (UNIQUE TO LAW ENFOR), STRESSORS AND STRESS REACTION
1. Types of Stress – The “Good” the “Bad” and the “Ugly”
2. Hypo vs. Hyper
3. Cumulative Stress Reactions vs. Critical Incident Reactions
4. Stress vs. Trauma
B. STATISTICS – WE’RE NUMBER 1!!
1. Divorce
2. Suicide
3. Other
II
THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP: (Agency’s Responsibility!)
III.
STRESS AND THE FAMILY
A. The Lifestyle and its Impact on Relationships
B. Training the Spouse
C. The Secret of Healthy Communication
IV.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
A. The Psychological Garbage Can
B. Cognitive, Emotional, Physical, Behavioral
a. Chronic
b. Acute
C. Acute Stress Disorder – Daily “Garbage”
D. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – “Toxic Waste and Hazardous Materials”
E. Adrenaline – The Toxin We Love!
V.
TAKING OUT THE GARBAGE – CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT: (Agency’s
Responsibility!)
VI.
VII.
COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO STRESS MANAGEMENT: (Individual’s Responsibility!)
A. Homeopathic vs. Prescriptions
B. Exercise and Nutrition
C. Sleep
Q&A
DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will prepare Supervisors to identify the early precursors of stress and then
equip them with the tools and resources needed to assist those under their command. The result - ultimately creating a
Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board Mobile Team Unit #10
Se r vin g th e C ou n ti e s of Ch r i sti an • De w itt • Lo g an • Ma con • Ma s on • Me n ard • Mon tg om e ry • San ga mon
Law Enforcement Training Advisory Commission
840 S. Spring Street, Suite B • Springfield, IL 62704
Phone (217) 726-7014 • Fax (217) 726-7833 • Email [email protected] • Website www.letac.org
Ellen L. Petty, Director
better officer and saving one of the departments most valuable assets – an employee, while lessening the departments
exposure to liability!! This course provides critical information to combat the deadly stress that destroys marriages,
careers and lives. Learn how to take control of this killer and live a healthier life by “TAKING OUT THE GARBAGE”.
Copyright©2014 Susan Lewis Simons, M.S., B.C.E.T.S., D.A.A.E.T.S.
Non-Member Tuition: $80.00. Non-Member tuition shall apply to civilians, officers from State/Federal agencies, and
officers from Local Law Enforcement agencies which are not a member of any MTU. Tuition will be invoiced to
departments upon course completion. If a pre-registered student from a Non-Member agency fails to attend training,
and the agency fails to provide advance notice within 7 days of the start date of that class, the agency will be invoiced
the entire amount of the student's tuition.
To Register: Email registration to [email protected]. You may also fill out and submit our online registration form
through the website at www.letac.org or call 217-726-7014 to register by phone (be sure to include all pertinent
information). MTU #10 local member department officers will be given registration preference until seven days prior to
the date of class. After that date, registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of MTU status.
We cannot accept registrations from individual officers. All registrations must go through your Chief, Sheriff, or
department training office, even if you are attending class on your own time.
Cancellation: If a class must be canceled for any reason, every effort will be made to do so at least 2 weeks before the
class is scheduled to begin. However, there are circumstances where last minute cancellation is out of our control. All
officers who have been registered for training will be contacted at the email address given at registration, so please be
sure to provide an email address which is checked often. Cancellations will also be posted to our mailing list and our
Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board Mobile Team Unit #10
Se r vin g th e C ou n ti e s of Ch r i sti an • De w itt • Lo g an • Ma con • Ma s on • Me n ard • Mon tg om e ry • San ga mon
Susan Lewis Simons, M.S., B.C.E.T.S., D.A.A.E.T.S.
OBJECTIVE

Mental Health Clinician and Stress Coach committed to providing solution-based methods proven to reduce
stress and improve the quality of life for law enforcement personnel, emergency services, military, aviation and
their families
QUALIFICATIONS
Under the Shield, Inc.
Avondale, AZ
1994 – Present
Founder/President
 Seminars conducted and/or services provided for departments, academies and/or associations regarding Stress
Management, Critical Incident Stress Management, Pre-employment Counseling, Conflict Resolution/Anger
Management, Forensic Hypnosis and or Psychological Aspects of Hostage Negotiations
 Clients include law enforcement departments, associations, academies, training centers; hostage negotiators;
airline pilots associations; military branches and associated organizations; and many other local, state and
federal law enforcement agencies and associations
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress


University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy

1997
Montgomery, AL
1996
Atlanta, GA
1981
Columbia, SC
1981
Litigation Specialist Certification
University of South Carolina

Tuscaloosa, AL
Master of Science in Counseling & Human Development (M.S.)
Gamma Beta Phi Honorary Society Advisor: Dr. Len Kitchens
National Center for Paralegal Training

2001
Forensic Hypnosis Certification
Troy State University


Ronkonkoma, NY
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress (B.C.E.T.S.)
Diplomate American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (D.A.A.E.T.S.)
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Training Center

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

August 18-26, 2008
Instructor Development Course, 40-hour course
Charleston, SC
November 2006
Train-the-Trainer Critical Incident Stress Management Group Crisis Intervention
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
Baltimore, MD
2001 & 2004
University of Maryland Baltimore Campus (UMBC)
 Train-the-Trainer Critical Incident Stress Management: Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support
 Critical Incident Stress Management: Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support
 Critical Incident Stress Management: Advanced Group Crisis Intervention
 Critical Incident Stress Management: Basic Group Crisis Intervention
2618 N. 109th Ave; Avondale, AZ 85392 • 334.324.3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
Auburn University at Montgomery

Hostage Negotiators of America, Inc.

2000
Montgomery, AL
1997
Orange Beach, AL
1996
Basic Hostage Negotiations
State of Alabama Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee

Montgomery, AL
Responding to Crises: Recovering Your Vision
High Risk Operations: Drugs & Armed Confrontations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
“Warrior Survival at Home and on the Streets” Officers Only
New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy – New Recruit Basic
Police Classes and New Mexico State Police Basic Recruit Class
Illinois Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board Executive
Institute (Deputy Chief’s Conference)
Illinois Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board Executive
Institute (All Women In Law Enforcement)
Pinal County Arizona Sheriff’s Department, In-service
Federal Bureau of Investigations Southeastern Law Enforcement,
Executive Development Seminar
Desert Dog K9 Trials
Federal Bureau of Investigation, all Employee Conference
St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, sponsored Multi-Agency
Training with Lt Col Dave Grossman and Officer Mike Neal
Alabama Tactical Officer’s Association
United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Alabama,
LECC Conference
United States Attorney’s Office Eastern & Western Districts,
LECC Conference
International Narcotics and Interdiction Association (SkyNarcs)
FBINAA Kentucky Chapter
Minnesota Chiefs of Police Assoc., annual Exec. Training Institute
US Marine Corps. 3rd Battalion, 23 Marines, Lima Company
The United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana
LECC Fall Law Enforcement Conference
Bureau of Indian Affairs Narcotics Division, In-service Training
FBINAA Alabama Chapter
Alabama Criminal Justice Academy, Alabama State Trooper Class
Oklahoma Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Personnel
Conference with members of the Mesa Arizona Police
Department, Law Enforcement Officers & Federal Flight
Deck Officers for US Airways, Southwest Airline & America West
Santa Fe NM
April 21, 2014
Springfield, IL
March 27, 2014
Bloomington, IL
March 26, 2014
Florence, AZ
Florence, AL
Scottsdale, AZ
Pittsburgh, PA
Pell City, AL
Miami, OK
Florence, AL
Orange Beach, AL
March 18, 20 & 22, 2013
Mid-October 2009, 2010,
2011, 2012, 2013
April 13, 2012
November 8, 2011
October 25, 2011
October 12-13, 2011
Lake Degray, AR
October 4, 2011
August 31 – September
2, 2011
July 28, 2011
Reno, NV
Frankfurt, KY
St. Cloud, MN
Montgomery, AL
Indianapolis, IN
June 6-9, 2011
April 11, 2011
April 4, 2011
November 20, 2010
September 24, 2010
Tulsa, OK
Gulf Shores, AL
Selma, AL
Miami, OK
Mesa, AZ
September 22, 2010
September 20, 2010
September 6, 2010
May 4, 2010
May 2007
“Warrior Survival at Home and on the Streets” with Spouses/Significant Others
Multi Agency Training State of New Mexico
Multi Agency Training State of Arizona
Multi Agency Training State of Arizona
Santa Fe, NM
Safford, AZ
Mesa, AZ
April 22, 2014
November 20, 2013
November 9, 2013
2618 N. 109th Ave; Avondale, AZ 85392 • 334.324.3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
Avondale AZ Police Association
Conference Sponsored by 100 Club or Arizona
Multi-Agency Training State of Alabama
United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District, LECC Conference
Avondale, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hamilton, AL
Little Rock, AR
July 23, 28, 2013
August 2012
June 25, 2011
November 9, 2010
“Sovereign Citizens at War With Law Enforcement & the Deadly Impact of Stress” with Officer Michael Neal
Illinois Sheriff’s Summer Training Conference
Washington County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Department
Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Summit
Multi-Agency Training
Multi-Agency Training
Bloomington, IL
Bartlesville, OK
Mount Vernon, IL
Mesa, AZ
Summerdale, AL
August 3, 2013
March 14, 2013
February 27, 2013
November 7, 2012
January 11-12, 2012
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation CISM: Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support &
Group Crisis Intervention Certification
Conference Sponsored by 100 Club or Arizona
Conference sponsored by Allied Pilots Association
State of Alabama Department of Corrections
Law Enforcement and Federal Flight Deck Officers
United States Air Force Europe, Chaplain Assistants
United States Air Force Europe, Chaplain Assistants
Glendale, AZ
Arlington, TX
Montgomery, AL
Birmingham, AL
Garmisch, Germany
London, England
November 2012
November 10-11, 2010
June 17-18, 2010
September 11-12, 2008
January 17-18, 2006
July 2006
Keynote and Motivational Speaking Engagements
Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Annual Executive Training
Institute Opening Ceremonies
Alabama Council on Crime and Delinquency Fall Conference
Alabama NENA Fall Conference, “You Won! Now What?”
International Narcotics and Interdiction Association (SkyNarcs)
Federal Bureau of Investigation All Employee Conference
United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District, LECC Conference
Federal Bureau of Investigation Southeastern Law Enforcement,
Executive Development Seminar
Criminal Interdiction Training for Patrol Officers
Active Shooter Training
US Airline Pilots Association, Benefits Forum
Airline Pilots Association Annual Aviation Security Forum, “You
Won! Now What? The Aftermath of a Critical Incident on the
Flight Deck”
FBI Florida, Executive Development Seminar
Federal Bureau of Investigation, all Employees Conference
International Aviation Security Academy and Conference
sponsored by the Airline Pilots Association
St. Cloud, MN
April 4, 2011
Huntsville, AL
Orange Beach, AL
San Antonio, TX
Birmingham, AL
Little Rock, AR
Florence, AL
October 13, 2010
October 11, 2010
May 9-13, 2010
December 4, 2009
December 3, 2009
October 23, 2009
Dahlonega, GA
Eufaula, AL
Charlotte, NC
Washington, D.C.
June 29, 2009
June 1, 2009
May 14, 2009
August 2007
West Palm Beach, FL
Kansas City, MO
Herndon, VA
April 30, 2007
December 8, 2006
2003
Presenter at Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conferences
Iowa Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conference
Kansas Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conference
Tennessee Narcotics Officers Association Conference
Oklahoma Narcotics Officers Association A-One Conference
Alabama Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conf.
Des Moines, IA
Topeka, KS
Gatlinburg, TN
Tulsa, OK
Orange Beach, AL
March 31-April 2, 2010
March 2010
Sept. 28-30, 2009
August 4-7, 2009
May 2007
2618 N. 109th Ave; Avondale, AZ 85392 • 334.324.3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
Consultant Work






Allied Pilots Assoc: Stress Management/Critical Incident Clinician for American Airlines Pilots (1/13/11 –5/30/13)
National Center for Crisis Management (www.nc-cm.org) Premier Speakers Bureau (2008 – Present)
Internal Investigation of Employee Complaint for the city of Miami, OK: Consultant/Investigator (1/2/11 – 3/12)
US Airline Pilots Association: Stress Management Consultant (2008 – 2009)
Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy in Quantico, VA: Trainer (11/14/06 – 1/29/07)
o Provided training to FBI training coordinators and support staff
Calera (Alabama) Police Department: Victim Services Advocate (2005 – 2007)
o Assist victims of violent and non-violent crimes including training local law enforcement officers and
other victim advocates
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Herzing University
Birmingham, AL
2004 – 2008
Associate Professor
 General Education Committee Chairman
 Instructor in Bachelor of Science Homeland Security and Public Safety Degree
 Instructor in general education and business courses including Critical Thinking, Psychology, Cultural Diversity
and many others
 2007Instructor of the Year, Herzing System and Birmingham, Alabama campus
 Authored and taught Critical Incident Stress Management course online, utilizing Blackboard
Alabama CISM Inc.
Birmingham, AL
2000 – Present
Mental Health Clinician
 Oversee CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) Interventions and assure that the appropriate Critical
Incident Stress Service is provided and that all Team Members work together within the scope of their training
and expertise
 Cross train with the various public safety organizations, health service providers and other public service
providers represented on the Team
Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance (POPPA), NYPD
New York, NY
December – May 2002
Consulting Clinician
 Provided Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) debriefings for officers with the New York City Police
Department after the September 11, 2001 attack
Paralegal Services, Inc.
Montgomery, AL
1989 – 1996
Founder/President & Litigation Paralegal
 Assist attorneys in trial preparation, drafting and organization of documents and correspondence, research,
factual investigations, general administrative filing, review and analysis of documents, preparation for and
representation in hearings and trials
 Previously worked as a litigation paralegal for Haskell, Slaughter and Young, P.C. in Montgomery, AL (19881989); McGlinchey, Stafford, Mintz, Cellini & Lang, P.C. in New Orleans, LA (1984-1988); and McNair, Glenn,
Konduras, Corley, Singletary, Porter & Dibble, P.A. in Columbia, SC (1982-1984)
PUBLICATIONS





ROCIC Special Research Report POLICE OFFICER SUICIDES January, 2014
Simons, S.L. (January, 2013), Laughter: The Best Medicine, www.lawenforcementtoday.com
Simons, S.L., & Maury, R.L., (2007), Federal Flight Deck Officers: LAST LINE OF DEFENSE
The Airwaves – US Airways Publication
Simons, S.L. (1997), Police officers were also victims, The Front Line – Newsletter for Members of the Southern
2618 N. 109th Ave; Avondale, AZ 85392 • 334.324.3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org



States Police Benevolent Association, Inc. Vol. 6, No. 5
Simons, S.L. (2002), Laughter…..The over the counter drug, The Firearms Instructor – the official publication of
the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, Issue 32
Stress in Law Enforcement, paper presented at the Alabama Counseling Association Fall Workshop, Birmingham,
AL, 1996
Current Research Interest: developing stress management programs for law enforcement, and military
personnel and their families
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS




American Institute of Stress
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress/National Center for Crisis Management
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
Alabama CISM formerly C.A.R.E., Inc. – Crisis Assistance and Resource Education
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE










New Mexico DPS Accreditation
Oklahoma CLEET
Arizona POST
Crisis Care Network, Mental Health Clinician
Hostage Negotiators of America, National Board of Advisors
Alabama CISM, Inc., Board of Directors member
Under the Shield, CISM, Mental Health Clinician
South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Accreditation
Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Training Provider Accreditation
Alabama Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission, Specialized Instructor
2014
2013 – Present
2012 – Present
2001 – 2005
1995 – 1999
2001 – 2012
2001 – Present
2000 – Present
1998 – Present
1997 – Present
HONORS & AWARDS






Gamma Beta Phi Honorary Society
Fellow of The American Institute of Stress/National Center for Crisis Management
Diplomat, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
Honorary Alabama State Trooper
Honorary Shelby County Deputy Sheriff
Honorary Member of the Federal Flight Deck Officer’s Association
2618 N. 109th Ave; Avondale, AZ 85392 • 334.324.3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org