Training Courses

The Supportive Leader: Empowering Injured and Disabled Officers by PATC

Date & Time:
  • October 27, 2026
Location:
Wayne, NJ

The Supportive Leader: Empowering Injured and Disabled Officers

Duration: 1 Day (8 Professional Development Hours)

Instructors: Randy Sutton, Robert E. Bemis

Cost: Free

Course Overview

This educational workshop is designed to increase awareness regarding how leadership decisions, agency policies, and current legislation impact the wellbeing of law enforcement personnel who have sustained serious injuries in the line of duty. The program includes screening of the documentary film "The Wounded Blue: Service – Sacrifice - Betrayed," which presents compelling accounts of six police officers whose experiences led to the establishment of the Wounded Blue charitable organization. The documentary addresses pressing issues affecting law enforcement today, including post-traumatic stress disorder, police suicide, and the severe financial hardship officers and their families may experience following career-altering injuries sustained while serving.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize how physical limitations influence a member's career prospects, including duty status, assignment changes, promotion eligibility, and workplace accommodations
  • Analyze how varying policies governing different types of law enforcement injuries create disparate outcomes for affected members and their employment status
  • Understand the psychological and emotional toll of trauma-related stress and PTSD on injured officers, including methods to reduce stigma, address identity loss, and connect members with appropriate resources
  • Evaluate the financial consequences of work-related injuries on officers and their families, including gaps beyond standard workers' compensation coverage and appropriate fundraising options
  • Assess the essential role of ongoing peer support systems for both injured members and their family units during significant life transitions
  • Explore legal protections and remedies available to injured officers, including civil litigation options and safeguards against discriminatory treatment
  • Identify how sustained organizational and peer support contributes to improved outcomes for injured members beyond employment separation
  • Recognize the importance of comprehensive training for leadership, management, and personnel on post-injury protocols and emergency procedures