Course Details

Course TitleSPCP 2017 - Considering Executive Functioning in Police Officers
Date 9/15/2017
ProviderSPCP 2017 Annual Conference
Phone(540) 568-6107
Emailbrewstja@jmu.edu
Website https://www.policepsychology.org/page-18100
LocationSan Diego
Credit Hours0.25
Instructor(s)Nicole J. Rafanello, Ph.D.
Method of InstructionLecture
Approving AgencyAPA
Course Syllabus

Course Description

The presentation will discuss the rationale for considering executive functioning in Police Officers. An overview of the functions of the executive system will begin the discussion. Independent data and research regarding the usefulness of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task in predicting unfitness/unsuitability in Officers and Candidates will be presented. Consideration of other neuropsychological measures as potentially being predictive will also be discussed. This would include tests of executive functioning. Additionally, consideration of the use of mindfulness practices to expand executive functioning in Officers will be presented. Examples of such practices will be offered as well as a discussion of the research on the executive functioning benefits of mindfulness. Finally, the use of mindfulness practices as an early intervention to address hypervigilance, autonomic arousal, and distressing memories post critical incidents will be discussed.

Course Objectives

<div>The presentation will discuss the rationale for considering executive functioning in Police Officers. An overview of the functions of the executive system will begin the discussion. Independent data and research regarding the usefulness of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task in predicting unfitness/unsuitability in Officers and Candidates will be presented. Consideration of other neuropsychological measures as potentially being predictive will also be discussed. This would include tests of executive functioning. Additionally, consideration of the use of mindfulness practices to expand executive functioning in Officers will be presented. Examples of such practices will be offered as well as a discussion of the research on the executive functioning benefits of mindfulness. Finally, the use of mindfulness practices as an early intervention to address hypervigilance, autonomic arousal, and distressing memories post critical incidents will be discussed. The majority of the presentation will discuss extant research on these issues.But, independent data on the WCST will also be presented.</div><div><br></div><div>Be able to discuss and understand the research and use of mindfulness practice to improve the executive functioning and mental health of Officers.</div>