DELAWARE STATE POLICE CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT TEAM
Captain Ronald W. Hagan
The Delaware State Police Critical Incident Stress Management Team continues to provide valuable services to the men and women of the division following various critical incidents throughout the state. The focus of the team is to minimize the harmful effects of job stress, particularly in crisis or emergency situations. The highest priority of the team is to maintain strict confidentiality and to respect the feelings of the individuals involved.
The Delaware State Police CISM team is led by Captain Ronald W. Hagan who serves as the team coordinator. He is assisted by the team leader, Mr. John Shoemaker. In 2008, the team strengthened its relationship within the Division of State Police and in particular outside agencies by responding to and assisting numerous members of the division and outside organizations following traumatic or stress induced incidents.
The team saw 2008 as a year which included multiple police shootings where deadly force was used by multiple officers. The team responded to those incidents to provide support to the involved officers, co-workers, and in some instances family members. One major response by the team followed the line of duty death of Sussex County Paramedic Stephanie Callaway. During this response the team worked closely with the Sussex County Paramedics, several Fire Departments as well as First State and Delaware Volunteer Fireman’s Association CISM Teams.
The team continues to work closely with the First State CISM team and Dr. Ellen Marshall with joint training opportunities. Dr. Marshall serves as a full time Criminal Justice professor at Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown, Delaware and volunteers her time as the teams Mental Health Coordinator. The team presently consists of 18 sworn and civilian members who have received training endorsed by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.
- Information obtained from 2008 DSP Annual Report -
