The Speaker

Detective Autumn Edwards has been a member of the Yonkers Police Department for 19 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Planning from John Jay College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She spent eight years in patrol before being designated Detective in 2007. She has held assignments within the Investigations Bureau: Detective Division, Special Victims Unit, and the Intelligence Unit. She currently serves full-time as the Coordinator of the Members Assistance Program, (M.A.P.); which encompasses the Police Chaplain Program, Peer Support and E.A.P. With the support of the union and the administration, the department is now taking an active approach to address the concerns and issues that arise in the lives of their membership. The Members Assistance Program serves as a confidential, peer-based internal Employee Assistance Program who assist with managing, and maintaining good mental and emotional health of the Department’s membership. PTMs assist members in coping effectively with issues related to stress, depression, substance abuse, family, grief, financial issues, and other personal and work-related challenges facing the membership and their families.

In preparation for her assignment, Detective Edwards has completed The Police Chaplain Basic Training Program, Peer Support training both individual and group crisis management, The Trauma Resources and Unified Management Assistance course, Self-Help and Responsive Education for First Responders, Badge Understanding Addiction Training, Traumas of Law Enforcement Training, and Resilience Training. She is preparing for the New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor exam.

She is currently enrolled at Alliance Theological Seminary at Nyack College and is pursuing a Master of Divinity. She holds firm to the belief that improving the overall wellness of the membership, will lead to improved police and community relations.

The Workshop

Responding to Veterans and Police Officers in Crisis : Friday, October 12, 2018 10:30A

More and more veterans are coming home to our communities. While many have a healthy transition, others face a myriad of difficulties from unemployment, depression, PTSD and in some cases, destructive behavior such as domestic violence, suicide, and other disturbances. Law enforcement is facing its own pressures: morale, budgeting, staffing, a hostile media environment, and a myriad of other issues. In many ways, their struggle to “come home” can be as challenging as that of a veteran.

This discussion is meant to prepare participants to better respond to veterans while making themselves more resilient. Combat veterans and police officers have similar lifetime rates of conditions like PTSD, and a resilient police department is the best way to prepare to respond to veterans.
• Understand the difficulties veterans face in the transition home
• Understand how PTSD develops and manifests itself in veterans
• Understand how to defuse threatening situations with veterans
• Understand why resilient officers better respond to veterans in distress
Create a culture of resiliency and pro-active community awareness of veteran's issues