The PSU
Training Institute

Current Events:

Critical Incident Seminars
(Watch for upcoming seminars)


The facts are in and the costs are high!

"It probably won't be the bullet that will kill an officer, but the effects of chronic stress from the job and home life."

Sgt. Johnson - California Police Department

The Facts:

The Law Enforcement Profession can be a killer, even if no one is shooting at you!

  • The abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs among Law Enforcement Officers is almost 4 times the national average.
  • Domestic Violence among Law Enforcement Officers and their spouses continues to rise.
  • The divorce rate among Law Enforcement Officers is as high as 75% on first marriages and even higher on second marriages.
  • Excessive force complaints against officers have increased over the past 5 years.
  • Agencies and departments across the nation report corruption and unethical behavior among law enforcement officers.
  • The average Law Enforcement Officer, if he or she makes it to retirement, lives about 5 years if they don't have an action plan.
  • Increased use of sick leave, decreased job performance and an increased turnover rate has been reported by many agencies.
  • Health problems rank very high among Law Enforcement Officers due to the risk of the job, shift-work, eating habits, relationships, and their lifestyle…ie: PTSD, High Blood Pressure, Heart Attacks, Hypertension, Back and Hip Problems, Liver and Stomach Disorders, and Cancer.
  • Every 56 hours, somewhere in America a Law Enforcement Officer is killed-in-the-line-of-duty.
  • Every 22 hours somewhere in America a Law Enforcement Officer commits suicide.

"We know problems exist such as stress and suicide and we don't like to talk about them. We have that "not in my department" attitude. It's when one officer drinks a half a bottle of Jim Beam and puts his service weapon to his head and pulls the trigger that we finally want to do something to address the problems."

A Retired Police Chief from Maryland


So What Can Be Done?

It begins with training!

  • The most common method for preventing stress related problems is to provide training. This helps officers recognize its sources and signs and to develop individual strategies for coping.
  • Training also serves as a tool to help officers and non-sworn personnel understand the importance of asking for assistance when stress related issues begin to surface.
  • Training must start at the academy level with a 40 block of training and must continue throughout an officer's career. In-Service training should be provided not only for officers but also mid-level managers and command staff, prospective retirees, and non-sworn personnel.

"You react to stressful situations the way you were trained. We train officers how to respond to emergencies, make car stops, tactical - shoot -- don't shoot situations, people in crisis, and how to take control of a situation. We're forgetting about the tools and skills that will help prevent an officer from taking his service weapon and killing themselves."

Law Enforcement Academy Instructor

"It's a proven fact that more officers died from their own hand and of health related problems than in-the-line-of-duty. It's time to look at reality and provide the training officers need to survive this profession!"

NYPD Captain

The Police Stress Unit Training Institute was developed to provide "Reality Based Training" for Law Enforcement Personnel. This includes Local and State Law Enforcement Officers and Supervisors, Correctional Officers, Federal Agents, 911 Dispatchers, Chaplains, and Family Members.

"Reality Based Training" does not come from a book. It comes from years of research and experience. "Reality Based Training" talks about real life situations and tools and skills to help develop better coping techniques.

Comments from Students:


Left to right: Thomas Gillan, (Director Central Florida Police Stress Unit), Tommy Gillan (Tom's son), Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (Author of "On Killing"), Edward Diaz (Retired Orlando Police Officer)

"I enjoyed the class! Learned several things that I feel will help me in my everyday
life. Thank you."

"This class has a great insight on LEO Stress Related situations and ways to
approach and how to handle it."

"I was never bored. The Instructor kept my total attention the entire time."

"We need this class on a regular basis. This was my second class with Tom , very
enjoyable. Would love to attend another in the near future."

"Tom did a wonderful job! This is one of the best classes I've ever had here
at the Sheriff's Office. This class should be mandatory for every LEO."

"Highly recommended. One of the best classes that we ever had and really helpful to
every supervisor."

"This course should be mandatory for anyone who carries a badge and a gun!"

"Excellent instructor, extremely knowledgeable and very professional. A GREAT Class! Thank you.

"Excellent speaker! He really held the attention of the class with real life situations."

"Informative, sincere, it really hit home! We really don't talk about this stuff."

"This class was excellent. Excellent instructors. We need more classes like this one."

"This class should be part of our annual block training and should be added to the Academy training program. Thanks to Tom and Jack for their great instruction."

"Tom and Vince were excellent! Peer Support Training is highly recommended."

The PSU Training Institute Classes Include:

  • Law Enforcement Stress Awareness and Resolution
    3 - Day Class for Law Enforcement, Corrections, 911 Dispatchers
  • Stress Behind The Badge: A Reality Check
    1 - Day Class designed to enhance the Law Enforcement Officers' ability to cope with stressful situations on and off the job. Police Officer Version Correctional Officer Version
  • Law Enforcement Suicide: A Preventable Act
    1 - Day Class that addresses this international epidemic
    among Law Enforcement Officers. Training is the key to a
    preventable act.
  • Responding to an In-Line-of- Duty Injury and Death
    1 - Day Class designed to provide an Agency Response:
    Plan your work and work your plan!
  • Stress and Ethics: Training is the Key
    1 - Day Class Stress and Ethics go hand in hand.
    "When you're under stress you react the way you were trained."
  • Peer Support Training and Individual Crisis Intervention
    4 - Day Class teaching peers how to respond to co-workers in
    need due to a critical incident or stressful situations. This class
    helps agencies develop a peer support program.
  • Basic Critical Incident Stress Management and Debriefing
    2 - Day Class is designed to teach group crisis intervention and
    emergency mental health skills including defusings and
    critical incident stress debriefings as a group process.
  • "I Love A Cop"
    What Every Law Enforcement Family Needs To Know
    A 16 Hour Block Training Spouse and Family Awareness Program.
  • What Every Law Enforcement Chaplain Needs To Know
    A 16 Hour Block Training for Law Enforcement Chaplains.
  • The PSU Training Institute Workshops and Presentations

    • Tom Gillan (Center) with officers from NYPD and the NY Port Authority at the Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial
      Developing an Employee Assistance Program
    • Domestic Violence and Law Enforcement Officers
    • Psychological Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction
    • Post Critical Incident Seminars for First Responders
    • Escort Officer Training
    • Death Notification for First Responders
    • Crisis/Hostage Negotiations
    • Secondary Traumatic Stress / Compassion Fatigue
    • Acute Traumatic Stress Response
    • Community Crisis Response Team Training
    • Responding to Terrorism and Natural Disasters
    • Ethics for Children
    • Kids and Violence
    • Workplace Violence / Threat Assessment


The PSU Training Institute
Workshop and Presentation Sites and Fees

The PSU Training Institute offers workshops and presentations for Public Safety Agencies, Private and Non-profit Organizations, Conferences and Seminars. PSU Training Institute Workshops and Presentations can held at law enforcement academies, colleges, universities, training facilities, hotels and conference centers.

PSU Training Institute Workshop and Presentation fees range from the following:

  • $375 to $2500
  • Travel and Lodging Expenses are not included for out of area trainings.

The PSU Training Institute can provide customized training programs for your agency. Please call, fax or e-mail us with your training needs and we'll be happy to provide your agency with a detailed proposal.

The PSU Training Institute has co-sponsored training workshops in cooperation with local and federal law enforcement agencies. This has proved to be an excellent way to provide quality training keeping costs to a minimum. The Agency hosting the training workshop can receive a discount for each of their students or free training slots.

Staff Instructors, Trainers, and Presenters

Thomas Gillan, CSTS
Director of the Criminal Justice Office of the Diocese of Orlando, Tom is the Founder and Director of the Central Florida Police Stress Unit. He is a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor and provides training for Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies and Correctional Personnel. Tom has extensive experience in the areas of Critical Incident Trauma and Stress, Grief and Loss, Law Enforcement Ethics, Stress, Suicide, and Peer Support. He is a member in good standing with the American Academy of Police Psychology, the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, the Critical Incident Stress Foundation, the Association for Death Education and Counseling, and the International Conference of Police Chaplains. As a volunteer, Tom serves as Director of the Central Florida Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors - a national peer-support organization providing support and services to Law Enforcement Survivors.

Vincent McNally, CEAP, BCETS
Retired FBI Special Agent, Vince McNally has 31 years of experience that includes Critical Incident Response Team Coordinator, Employee Assistance Program Coordinator and Hostage / Crisis Negotiation. Vince is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional, a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Compassion Fatigue and Certified Instructor. He is currently President of Trauma Reduction, Inc. and provides training and services to Law Enforcement Agencies and Critical Incident Crisis Response Teams internationally.


Associate Instructors and Trainers

These certified instructors and trainers include current and retired law enforcement professionals, professors, licensed mental health professionals, certified employee assistance professionals, certified addiction professionals, trauma and stress specialists, victim advocates and chaplains.


"The credit goes to the person
who's actually in the arena;
whose face is marred with dirt, sweat and blood;
who knows great enthusiasm and joys;
who spends himself in a worthy cause,
and whose place shall never be with
those timid souls who knew never victory nor defeat."

Teddy Roosevelt

The Central Florida Police Stress Unit, INc.
The PSU Training Institute
Office Phone: (407) 658-1818
Fax Number: (407) 282-2891
e-mail: tgillan@ccorlando.org

www.PoliceStress.ORG