MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A first-of-its-kind national law enforcement training focused on trauma-informed response is taking place in the Tampa Bay area this week, aiming to better equip first responders to handle crisis situations and serve vulnerable populations.
As agencies across the country continue to rethink strategies, the training emphasizes practical tools for de-escalation and a deeper understanding of how trauma affects behavior — both in the community and within law enforcement ranks.
“Through that process, what I really learned was law enforcement has a lot of unaddressed trauma,” said Dr. Randy Kaiser, a retired law enforcement officer who now travels nationwide training agencies on crisis response.
Kaiser said building personal connections is key to helping individuals recover from traumatic experiences and improving outcomes in the field.
The training also highlights a shift in how deputies and officers are prepared for the job, as departments increasingly adopt trauma-informed approaches as part of standard practice.
“I’ve been doing this for 22 years, and the way we used to train 20 years ago, it has changed,” said Lt. Julio Jordan with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. He attended the course as part of continuing training.
Jordan, a school resource officer, said law enforcement today requires a broader skill set — often balancing enforcement with roles that resemble counseling, especially when working with youth.
Organizers say the training is designed not only to improve interactions with the public but also to address the mental health challenges officers face.
“It’s been very rewarding because we’ve lost so many officers to suicide, and they’ve left early because of these traumatic events,” Kaiser said. “I really have found a lot of peace and a lot of fun encouraging these officers to take care of themselves and also teach them how to do it.”
The free, two-day training is being offered locally for the first time through a collaboration between Bridge A Life, Align Benefit Corp’s Growing Oaks program, Sisterhood for Good and Goodwill Manasota.
Jody Jester, executive director of Bridge A Life, said the training also helps professionals better understand how early childhood trauma can affect development and behavior.
“We really have an opportunity in a training like this to equip other professionals to understand how chronic early childhood stress can impact the brain, body, and behaviors of a child,” Jester said. “And to provide tools and strategies to meet kids where they are.”
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, trauma-informed approaches in the criminal justice system can help avoid re-traumatizing individuals, improve safety, and reduce the likelihood of repeat offenses.
Kaiser said the goal is to ensure officers are prepared not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, to meet the demands of the job.