The call was dispatched as a “check on welfare,” following a report from neighbours of a loud argument and then silence. Read More
The call was dispatched as a “check on welfare,” following a report from neighbours of a loud argument and then silence. When Const. Larry Williams (not his real name) responded, he found the front door ajar — and a bloody shoe print. The house was quiet, except for Williams announcing his presence. There was nothing
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The call was dispatched as a “check on welfare,” following a report from neighbours of a loud argument and then silence.
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When Const. Larry Williams (not his real name) responded, he found the front door ajar — and a bloody shoe print. The house was quiet, except for Williams announcing his presence.
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There was nothing to see until he came to an upstairs bedroom door. He pushed against the door and felt resistance. He pushed harder and the door slowly slid open, allowing the officer to see the lifeless body that had been blocking his access. Williams attempted CPR, to no avail.
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By the time his teammates arrived, he had been alone with the deceased for at least five minutes.
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Over the next few weeks, then months, the constable’s thoughts kept being interrupted by images of what he had seen that day — the smell of blood, the silence. When he slept — which was not often — he had nightmares of the call.
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He said he didn’t really mind, as every time his sleep was interrupted it gave him a chance to check on his spouse and their kids.
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The officer constantly wondered what would have happened if he’d arrived sooner at that house, or if he had raced directly upstairs. Every time a check on welfare call came in, he was quickly disoriented and distracted. He hoped someone else would take the call. Apart from the notable distress he was experiencing and despite his significantly impaired performance, the officer tried to power through, to stay at work, to support his team. But, eventually, he knew he needed to look after himself and take some time away.
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Assessed by a psychiatrist, Williams was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and an application was made to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta.
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As section 24.2 of the Workers’ Compensation Act reads, when a firefighter, paramedic, peace officer or police officer is diagnosed with PTSD by a physician or psychologist, it is presumed to be an injury that arose out of and occurred during the course of their employment, unless there is evidence to the contrary.
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PTSD, the act says, is defined on the basis of the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. That’s the fifth edition, generally known as DSM-5.
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It lays out the criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD
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- Exposure to death, serious injury or sexual violence through direct experience, witnessing or learning about the event, or having repeated exposure to details of traumatic events.
- Nightmares, flashbacks or distress at exposure to cues resembling the event.
- Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event.
- Negative changes in thinking or mood.
- Heightened arousal and reactivity.
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