Police Officer

[Edward]

Hi
I just discovered this forum today (5/26/11). I have been a Police officer for 28 years. I work in the metro Atlanta area and like most officers, I have seen a lot of things that you'll never be able to scrub out of your brain. I have a bachelors degree in Criminology from Florida State, spent years working undercover narcotics and until 2 years ago a spotless record.

Two years ago while working a simple parking violation, the "routine" violation went south. I became involved in a fight with a coked up 26 year old. He rode one ride on the Taser and then out ran the wire on the second ride. We ran into a bank where I had to physically take him down. (And oh yes he had a .9mm) . I tried the ASP which required a lot of stitches, to his shin. Ditched the stick and got one hand cuffed and the guy does a push-up with my 270 lb ass on top of him. His head was split open and teeth (gold) were knocked out before with the help of 4 more officers (And 2pr of cuffs and being tased two more times) the suspect was subdued.

Six months later the usual letter of intent to sue arrives. Then I.A. then a demotion. My first disciplinary action. WHY. Apparently, one of my men threw away the gold (and attached real teeth) which was lying in blood and a sizable quantity of his own feces. It seems that after fighting alone for my life, I mishandled evidence. This civilians gold teeth. During the IA I was repeatedly asked who threw away the teeth. I was told three or for days after the incident, but couldn't swear who did it, but being the supervisor I said I take full responsibility. I was repeatedly asked who did it, and I finally asked "Are you deaf. I've told you the same thing 10 times." Guess what? Insubordination for asking , "Are you deaf".

Shortly there after the dreams started. waking up wringing wet, and gasping for air. Violent nightmares, and that whole list of PTSD symptoms. Been seeing a shrink for months. Heavily medicated, and violent thoughts I don't want to reveal here.

My question for others is, it possible to get a medical disability for PTSD? I've given over half my life to helping others, but now I can't hardly function. My evals are starting to suck. Sleeping pills the night before going back to work. (Have heart and BP problems which the cardiologists attribute to stress.

Begging for answers

 

[Lionheart]

My question for others is, it possible to get a medical disability for PTSD?

Yes, it is possible to get medical disability for PTSD. I receive disability benefits for PTSD x past 11 years. I guess it depends on the severity of your symptoms, your ability to continue working etc, but here in the states PTSD is a qualifying disability.
Wishing you the best,
Lionheart

 

[Ian Vp]

Edward, I am a current serving member of Police in Australia but was born in Memphis Tennessee. My Brother lives in Atlanta. The coinicidences. Anyway, I have been off work for 6 months for PTSD and it is recognised by Workcover, the government body who looks after that sort of stuff, and I am being paid while on leave from the force. If after 104 weeks I cannot return to active duty I will be medically discharged and given a pension. I do not know what safety nets are in place in Atlanata or the state of Georgia but I would be contacting your union as soon as possible. I know that will feel like you are giving oven information that you would rather not but you need to know where you stand legally and what you have to do to have your PTSD recognised and accepted by your employer. I can only assume then there would be a similar early retirement with a pension. Most important thing is you have to hold all the cards and have the information so that is where I would start. Best of luck brother, Ian.

 

[anthony]

Hey Edward, welcome mate... sorry to hear your having such a shit time with the bureaucracy of the system.

 

[cherryblossom]

Hi Edward.

Welcome to the forum. As you have seen there are people here who will be able to support you, and offer you advice. The best advice I can give you, is to try to stabilise as much as possible in your life. Work, home life, therapy and drugs (prescribed or otherwise), Then try to prioritise things. You have so much going on, no wonder you are struggling. Try to deal with one thing at a time. Your health is the most important thing. Take care
CB

 

[Edward]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. It feels good to know I'm not the only one out there. For a long time I felt like it would be a sign of weakness to admit that I had a problem, much less, seek help. I contacted the PBA today who advised me that there is plenty of case/statutes protecting the employee, and they are forwarding the info. I have another appointment with the shrink today (Had to schedule an unscheduled visit today). I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. This may sound crazy, but I've made 40 arrests in the last two weeks. I don't usually do that in a year. The boss is way down my throat, and I intend to get the shrink to get me off the road for a couple of weeks.
Thanks Again and keep me in your prayers
Edward

 

[cherryblossom]

Take care of yourself Edward, and you career. Try to keep any anger in check, to get your boss off your back - - you don't need the extra stress.

 

[KP the nut]

Hi Edward, sorry no sparkling words of welcome. Just that you are very welcome here. There are wonderful members who offer support and are willing to share their experiences. Great intro BTW - well done.

Also fantastic acticles with loads of information.

Take care
((HUGS)) if you will accept them
KP

 

[anthony]

This may sound crazy, but I've made 40 arrests in the last two weeks. I don't usually do that in a year.

Mate, when you can admit there is something wrong based on what you're doing, it says a great deal about your honesty and integrity, along with your ability and willingness to heal your trauma and move onto the next chapter within your life. Impressed mate, well done.

A good majority of people, as you would be well aware as a cop arresting all the naughty people doing bad things, are to busy living in denial and lying about their actions to take responsibility. Your stepping up to the plate immediately, recognizing what is wrong, and seeking help. Extremely proud mate.. should be more like you.

 

[Edward]

Well Everyone,

I guess it's been a month since I was on here, and about that long since I went to work. I had the shrink write me a "Doctor's Note" for being absent for more than three days.

Besides the time I spend at the shrink, I've spent the past month trying to relax and unwind. I had no idea how really "F'd up" my head was. I'm starting to see things more clearly now, and can also see how much the past trauma's and stress really changed this good boy who sarted Policing in 1984.

I'm on a battery of med's. Zoloft, Klonopen, Xanax, not to mention the heart and high blood pressure medicines. The cardiologist said that my most recent bout with my heart was stress related (What a surprise). I'm in therapy, and it has it's ups and downs.

My intention is to try and go out on a medical disability. Although I fear that's going to be another battle I'll have to face, I don't see myself returning to Police work. While this was at one time my dream of a lifetime, I feel the most responsible and prudent thing to do is get out before I hurt someone, or get fired. Like I've heard it said, they got the "Goody" out of me. I gave it a long dedicated run, but I'm afraid I'm done.

If there's anyone out there that has any legal recomendations, (or rights) they can share, it would be greatly appreciated. They really took their toll on this old boy, and I could use all the help I can get.

Thanks for listening
Edward

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

Hi Edward,

Congratulations on the hard work you have putting in to get better! You sound like one extremely impressive guy. I hope that the medications and the therapy are helping you stabilize your moods. Good luck with all of the paper work. Without a doubt, you deserve the disability discharge after working so many years to protect society. Welcome to a "club," I'm sure you never even dreamed of joining.

Take care!

 

[Srain]

Hi Edward, I first want to thank you for all your hard work. I'm sure you have done your best and are pretty well spent, that's a lot of time serving the public in a very large city with a slew of serious issues. I am on disability for a chronic illness, however, PTSD is only part of my disability. The reason I'm telling you this is because mine is one that extremely difficult for anyone to get a disability where I'm living right now. I am in the states so I will give you the tips that were given me when I had no idea what the heck I was doing.

The paperwork was completely overwhelming so it was suggested to me to get an advocate, which I did. Not necessarily a lawyer though they advertize like they are lawyers on television. I had them do all the paperwork and filing for me because at the time I took one look at that stack and started to have a panic attack. It was monsterous, meant to week out..I'm guessing those that aren't serious enough to jump through the hoops. The advocates work on a contingency and take a percentage out of the judgement up until the judgement is made, nothing after. They represent you in court, some states you have to appear, I did. It can be a long haul, sometimes several years with denials, I've heard of people being denied 3 or 4 times but that is not unusual. I was denied once, however, I had gone on work disability a few times and had years of documentation.

It's good that you are seeing someone. Have you actually been diagnosed with PTSD? It's really about the documentation that the judge considers for disability and your inability to work ongoing in any field of work. You might call an advocate, the consultations are free.

Welcome to the site. :)

Rain