Police Constable McKeon Stevens was recently recognised for his fourteen years of service as part of the Bermuda Police Service’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team, (CISM).

The CISM Programme is an intervention protocol program developed specifically for dealing with traumatic events. It is a formal highly structured and professionally recognized process for helping those involved in a critical incident to share their experiences, vent emotions, learn about stress reactions and symptoms and given referral for further professional help if required. It is not psychotherapy. It is a  confidential, voluntarily, peer driven process,  designed to assist BPS officers and support staff, cope with psychological and emotional stress.

Mr. Stevens was a CISM team leader and worked alongside Mrs. Isis Wellman, Occupational Welfare Officer and Director for the Occupational Health Unit, who also leads the BPS’s CISM team. The team includes Sergeant Raoul Ming - CISM coordinator and Chaplin Kevin Santucci as well as community mental health professionals, Pastors, police officers, and police support staff to assist in providing:

•             One on one crisis intervention.

•             Pastoral crisis intervention.

•             Family crisis intervention.

•             Defusing.

•             Pre-crisis preparation.

•             Strategic planning.

•             Critical incident stress debriefing.

•             Crisis management briefing.

Mr. Stevens was an active CISM team member while still performing his regular duties as a police officer.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Martin Weekes who presented P.C. Stevens with a certificate of recognition said, “Having known PC Stevens since he first joined the service as a cadet, I have watched him progress through its various units with a dedication to duty, that has served him well as a member of the CISM team. He has proven himself an asset to the organisation."

Pictured, from left to right: Mrs. Isis Wellman, Occupational Welfare Officer and Director for the Occupational Health Unit (who also leads the BPS’s CISM team), Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes, Constable McKeon Stevens and CISM coordinator Sergeant Raoul Ming.