Page 27 - topcoverissue19

SPRING 2024 TOP COVER 27

“I sometimes compare mental
trauma with the layers of Kevlar in
a set of body armour. For me, the
more traumatic incidents I faced, the
stronger I became – however, with the
caveat that I would always try and talk
things through with a peer or buddy.
“It’s easy to think of trauma as being
solely associated with work incidents,
but it can occur in many different
forms. Perversely, being defeated and
categorically beaten in the semi-final
of the 2012 Olympics in London
created high levels of trauma across our
athlete and staff group and we weren’t
prepared for it.

Pre-mortem process
“For some, the post-Olympic period
was an abyss. It’s something we learnt
from and as a result, we now try and
‘pre-mortem’ everything. Look at
the ‘what ifs’ before they happen and
instigate processes to support our
athletes and staff, particularly when
things don’t go to plan.”
It’s something that the police service
and particularly firearms units have
improved over the years. PIP (Post-
Incident Procedure) has developed
to a point where the welfare of both
principal officers and teams involved is
now a consideration.
“The ‘pre-mortem’ is an area of
firearms policing where I learnt a great main Help4Heroes charity where he passion for hockey continues as a
deal of transferable lessons to take into has spent time supporting military charity fund raiser and extreme hockey
my international hockey career. As a personnel as they venture back into dribbler! To date, since 2012, he has
coach, it really helped me to foresee civilian life on the pathfinder scheme. raised nearly £65,000 for charity. He
problems before they occurred and dribbles hockey balls to extreme places
create strategies to support individuals Humility, integrity, gratitude including the Himalayas, the UK three
and teams.” “I am a great believer in being able to peaks and several London Marathons
Andy has now followed up on his give back in any capacity,” added Andy. including this year!
working experiences taking on a “Humility, integrity and gratitude His working involvement in
role as a TRiM (Trauma Resilience sit high on my list of priorities. It is hockey continues with a part-time
Management) practitioner supporting frustrating that serving and ex-firearms TV commentary role and some
others who experience trauma both in officers do not get the voice and the coaching at Framlingham College
the workplace and beyond. It is a very plaudits they deserve. Mark and the in Suffolk. He also works as an
informal process that does no harm but PFOA charity team do a marvellous executive coach and is an associate for
will indicate whether trauma has had job in supporting those in need.” Cleartrack Performance, a learning
an impact enabling the individual to After working through three and development company, working
seek further help if needed. Olympic cycles, Andy stepped away alongside other former police officers,
He is also an ambassador for from the international scene following former professional athletes and
Hockey4Heroes, a splinter of the the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. His military personnel.

WWW.PFOA.CO.UK