Arizona police officers not getting enough help for PTSD

We talk a lot about PTSD and combat here but I am often asked what is being done for police officers. The answer is it all depends where they are. When I travel and run into a law enforcement officer, I ask them what they know about PTSD. Usually I was wondering if they knew how to respond to veterans coming home. It hardly ever dawned on me to ask them what they are doing for themselves. The more I read reports like the following, the more I know we just don't take care of the men and women putting their lives on the line for us everyday.

Former Mesa cop: PD lacks PTSD training
By: Tim Vetscher

MESA, AZ - We often hear stories from those who've served in active duty about their struggles with PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder.

But members of local law enforcement say they struggle with PTSD issues too, only to receive far less attention.

In fact, a former Mesa police officer tells ABC15 that PTSD, and the lack of available help, cost him his career.

On May 28th, 2009, detective Nathan Schlitz responded to a fight involving a known gang member.

When that suspect tried to run over his partner, Nathan opened fire.

"What nobody knew at the time is that his 15-year-old cousin was with him in the backseat and one of my rounds hit and killed her," said Schlitz.

The realization Schlitz killed an innocent person, albeit unintentionally, sent him into a tailspin.

Schlitz now realizes he had started to experience the symptoms of PTSD.
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