Paterson police offer psychological first-aid training
Cops and community members learn how to deal with and help someone who has gone through a traumatic experience.
PATERSON — A woman is sitting alone on a curb near a house being ravaged by fire. She has just learned that her husband was killed in the blaze.
How should someone approach the traumatized victim?
That was one of the scenarios posed at a recent “Psychological First Aid” training session sponsored by Paterson police, a program designed to help law enforcement officers as well as clergy members and emergency responders.
“This is about the recovery of the community after a traumatic incident occurs,” Paterson police Capt. Richard Reyes said of the seminar, which was at the police training academy at Passaic County Community College in Wayne.
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“We also want to help not only the victims recover, but the families recover,” Reyes said. “When a crime is committed, the whole city suffers.”
The main speaker was Neil Stevens of the New Jersey Division of Mental Health's Disaster and Terrorism Branch.
Emphasizing the need to restore hope amid difficult circumstances, Stevens provided the trainees with strategies for interacting with victims.
“Give subtle signs you are listening,” Stevens told the audience. “Ask questions sparingly. Focus on responding to what the person is saying or asking. Avoid expressions of approval or disapproval.”
Three friends — the Rev. Jerry Wilder Jr. of Paterson’s Resurrection Kingdom Ministries, the Rev. James Moody of Christ Covenant Church in Clifton, and Moses Parker of the Christian Fellowship Center in Paterson — attended the seminar.
“I came today because I want to be able to work and help those who are going through tragedies,” Wilder said. “The best way to do so is to get training. I grew up in Paterson. I know how rough it can be.”
“Sometimes the community only sees faith-based organizations at funerals after the tragedies,” Wilder added. “We want to be proactive and have an impact on the community before tragedy strikes. I want to be able to articulate to families and have them know that I show compassion. That is what this seminar is about.”
After Stevens’ speech, trainees discussed topics in small groups and did role-playing exercises.
The Rev. Marcus Debnam of Paterson’s Mighty Sons of God Church said he attended the seminar to “learn how to help our community be safe.”
“Inside the word 'compassion' is the word 'passion,' ” Debnam said. “You have to love people. I recently counseled a student who had lost his father only a few months ago. Before that, he had just recently begun to connect with his dad.”