2-07/130.00 - Psychological Services Bureau



Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) provides free, confidential counseling to all Department employees, their spouses and significant others.  All personal counseling sessions between our licensed law enforcement psychologists and employees are privileged communications except for admissions of child or elder abuse or danger to self or others.  This is the same standard required of all therapists throughout the state.  No information regarding any counseling session, including the fact that it occurred, will be released to any Department member or family member without a formal, signed authorization from the employee.  Counseling and crisis intervention is offered at four different office locations - downtown Los Angeles, Whittier, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale.

Peer Support and Addiction Recovery Programs

The PSB also incorporates several other distinct programs that are interface based on the needs of the employee.  The Peer Support and Addiction Recovery Programs are each coordinated by a Bonus I - Advanced Training Deputy.  This deputy recruits both sworn and professional staff to assist Department employees.  Those recruited attend a mandatory three-day, on-duty training to learn how to better assist their co‑workers with personal and work‑related concerns, having already “been there” themselves.  The coordinators further provide these trained Department members with support, education, resources and referral information to assist their co‑workers address problems involving various everyday issues as well as addictions, including alcohol abuse, drug misuse, and gambling problems.  All meetings between these peer-level support program personnel and an employee are treated as  private communications except where there is danger of harming oneself or someone else, child abuse, elder abuse, dependent abuse, or a significant Department policy violation.  Supervisory personnel have some additional reporting requirements in line with their supervisory role.  Training is also provided Department-wide via lectures as part of recruit training, Field Training Officers School, Sergeant Supervisors School, etc., as a means of furthering their message of peer-level support and assistance.  The deputy interacts with a variety of community organizations in furtherance of his/her mission and maintains a basic demographics-only database to monitor program utilization.

Unit Chaplains – Program

The Unit Chaplains – Program provides for the spiritual and personal needs of Sheriff's personnel and their families.  They offer an additional confidential resource for all Department employees.  Each unit chaplain is assigned to a specific field, custody, or specialized unit within the Department.  Our volunteer chaplains provide spiritual support and guidance to personnel as well as provide comfort and support to members of the community during times of emotional distress (e.g., the aftermath of violent crimes, death notification, etc.).  In addition to aiding employees directly, chaplains promote an environment of well‑being by inserting a presence that fosters the highest ethical conduct among employees as well as fostering heightened public confidence.  Unit chaplains are frequently called upon to provide benedictions and invocations at Department and community events.

Uniform

The chaplains are issued Department chaplain Identification cards, green polo shirts, and green wind-breaker type jackets with the words “SHERIFF’S CHAPLAIN” written on the back and the Unit Chaplains – Program logo placed over the left pocket (the issuance of these shirts and jackets is through Psychological Services Bureau and not the Sheriff’s Logistics Unit).

Organizational Consultant Program

The Organizational Consultant Program is staffed by licensed clinicians specifically trained in organizational psychology.  These Department employees provide on‑site training and consultation to first-line supervisors and command staff at designated facilities.  Program emphasis is on developing and assisting management and supervisors in identifying early warning signs of stress/burnout in their employees.

Psychological Services Bureau provides management consultation, topical wellness‑based training and 24‑hour/7-day a week emergency availability.