DRAFT AF05 - Peer Support Program

Washington County Sheriff's Office

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

Policy Manual

Volume: AF

Health and Safety

Chapter: 05

Peer Support Program

Replaces and/or Supersedes:

None

Published:

10/15/2020

Review Date:

10/15/2020

Sheriff Cory C. Pulsipher

Undersheriff James Standley

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AF 05_101  Definitions

AF 05_102  References

AF 05_103  General

AF 05_104  Services

AF 05_105  Administration

AF 05_106  Privacy and Confidentiality

AF 05_101  DEFINITIONS

1. WCSO:  Washington County Sheriff's Office
2. PEER SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER: Any employee who has been trained and certified as per Utah law to provide emotional and moral support to other employees, and whose selection to the Peer Support Team has been approved by the Sheriff or designee.

AF 05_102  REFERENCES

1. Utah State Code 78B-5-901

AF 05_103  GENERAL

1. Policy:

   1. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office recognizes that there is a need for employees to have support for both personal and professional crisis situations and general work stressors which may affect their daily lives as well as their work habits. The Peer Support Program is designed to offer voluntary and confidential support for employees for personal and job-related circumstances.

2. Rationale:

   1.  

   The Peer Support Program is designed for employees to assist fellow employees in dealing with stress, emotional difficulties, or other personal circumstances. These circumstances could have an impact on the employee, and in some cases could present a danger to the welfare and safety of the employee, his or her family, the public, and other employees. Peer Support Team Members are trained to be effective listeners and provide feedback to employees, clarify issues, and assist employees in identifying options for problem resolution.

AF 05_104  Services

1. Policy:

   1. Peer Support Team members are to be easily accessible to employees who need their services. A list of members will be made available to all employees. Peer Support sessions will be confidential. Examples of where Peer Support may be utilized may include but not limited to:

      1. Loss of a loved one;
      2. Officer-Involved Shooting;
      3. Work Injury, or;
      4. Large life changes (Retirement, Divorce, etcetera.)

2. Rationale:

   1.  

    

AF 05_105  Administration

1. Policy:
   1. Under the direction of the Sheriff or designee, the peer support program will be administered by a Peer Support Coordinator. The Peer Support Coordinator will be responsible for:

      1. Chairing any meetings of the Peer Support Team;

      2. Assisting in the selection and removal of Peer Support Team members. ;

      3. Making recommendations for modifications to the program and providing appropriate information to the Sheriff’s Office administration, and;

      4. Other duties as assigned.

   2. Peer Support Team members will be selected based upon their character, integrity, interpersonal communication skills, and a history of solid decision making and wisdom. Upon successful completion of training hours candidates will serve as Peer Support Team members. These members will then be involved in ongoing training and supervision under the direction of the Peer Support Coordinator.
   3. Peer Support Team members will be removed from the program for failure to maintain the standards for team members set forth by the Sheriff. An example of this would be if a team member breaches the confidentiality required of a peer support member.

AF 05_106  Privacy and Confidentiality

1. Policy:

   1. In accordance with Utah State Code 78B-5-901 “Public Safety Peer Counseling” all information discussed in a Peer Support Role is confidential except for the following situations:

      1. A Law Enforcement Peer Support Team Member was a witness or a party to the incident that prompted the delivery of peer support services;
      2. The information received by a Peer Support Team Member is indicative of actual or suspected child abuse, or actual or suspected child neglect;
      3. The person receiving peer support is a clear and immediate danger to the person’s self or others;
      4. The communication to a Peer Support Team Member establishes reasonable cause for the Peer Support Team Member to believe that the person receiving peer support services is mentally or emotionally unfit for duty, or;
      5. The communication to the Peer Support Team Member provides evidence that the person who is receiving the peer support services has committed a crime, plans to commit a crime, or intends to conceal a crime.

   2. Peer Support Team members will make no written record of the details of support sessions. Employees who seek assistance through the Peer Support Program must be made aware that Peer Support Team members will maintain confidentiality by not disclosing any information developed in Peer Support sessions, except in accordance with this policy.

2. Rationale:

   1. In order for a peer support program to be effective employees seeking peer support must believe that the information they provide will be confidential.