International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
By: Officer Mike Wierenga, Training Bureau – GRPD
I would like to recognize the continuous work and constant supportive efforts of Dennis Potter and Dr. Paul LaBerteaux for their involvement with the Grand Rapids Police Department. Dennis and Paul have been instrumental in assisting GRPD in providing Peer Support to its officers for many years. When I began to research the time these two men have spent providing passionate encouragement to GRPD personnel with training officers and the developing a brand new CISM team in the 1990’s it was evident they did so much more than just help develop a team. Before GRPD had any idea on what a CISM team was they were assisting us through traumatic incidents dating back to the Hall of Justice shooting in Oct. of 1988, when then Grand Rapids Police Officer, Clarence Ratliff shot and killed his wife, a judge in the Hall of Justice, and then fired his gun towards his own fellow officers who responded to the shots fired. In 1999 GRPD officially created the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team. Paul and Dennis assisted with this team, instructing many of the courses our team members attended and to this day Dennis continues to be involved in training our new team members in the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc (ICISF) core classes.
Paul assisted GRPD personnel as well as the peer support team immensely during the hours and days after officer Kozminski was murdered. There are too many incidents to even begin to list off where the professionalism of both Dennis and Paul have been at the forefront of assisting GRPD officers through difficult times of their careers. Dennis and Paul have brought GRPD’s peer support team under their wing and introduced the team to the Michigan Crisis Response Associations annual conference. For several years we send team members to the conference where the GRPD team has become a leader in first responder CISM teams in the state. At that conference, our team members often assist Dennis and Paul with scenario-based training for newly trained peer support team members as well as being a resource for new teams being developed throughout the nation. There are no words or explanations that I can
possibly put into this writing that will truly show the importance of what Dennis and Paul have meant to GRPD. We know they have made a life changing impact on the lives of many of our officers!
When asking fellow peer support team members about the history of our team retired officers responded with these words.
Paul LaBerteaux did so much for our team, such a smart, giving man. Dennis Potter was there to help as both men were incredibly generous with their knowledge and time. The team has been requested to help other departments in the area before their teams were formed. I remember Kalamazoo swat and Holland PD, but there were others. After 9-11 NYPD sent a nationwide request for help. The 1st team that went was Paul LaBerteaux, Ed Mosley, Dean Mickelson, and me. Our team was asked to join a SE Michigan team the following July and September. Team members were sent to the World Congress on Trauma, Stress and Coping in Baltimore on multiple occasions……. Retired officer Diane Watrous
Paul and Dennis were invaluable through the entire time I was involved as well as I’m sure getting it started in the first place and definitely are worthy of being recognized in some more formal way. Paul was the instructor for my advanced class along with most everyone else I know that went through that training. He also did several in house trainings’ for us. He was always available for consultations on how we should address issues, in particular the Koz incident. I recall doing a 2-day suicide prevention training with Dennis who again was always interested in helping LE deal with on duty issues……. Retired Sgt. James Potter
I met Paul at the inception of the GRPD Peer Support Group. He was pivotal in the creation and operation of the team. Paul was truly dedicated to helping us help each other. Paul’s dedication to steering the team towards the best training available and his insight into healing First Responders suffering from trauma was invaluable! On a personal note, Paul took the time to listen, guide and support me during one of the most difficult times in my life, and did so without hesitation (even though he was no longer accepting new clients at the time). There was never a doubt that Paul truly cared about the work we were doing and the people he/we tried to help and support. I’m proud to have worked side by side with Paul and the team he, Diane Watrous and Captain Carrier started so long ago.
While Dennis joined the team after I resigned my Peer Support position, I saw the same caring dedication Paul had shown during numerous Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (including the shooting Dave Lilly, Ben Hawkins and I were involved in). Dennis picked up where Paul left off and we were lucky to have him there for us. Both men sacrificed time with their families to help keep us and other First Responders as healthy as possible. Not many people would do that for strangers and I’m very grateful for their service!……..Retired Officer Tony Gamez
Dennis first started to work with us in the early 90’s when Lt. Dale Winters was involved with it and Paul started work with us sometime in the late 90’s. I was able to witness Paul in action with sessions that we held for our people and our department was blessed to have someone of his knowledge, experience, and sensitivity to law enforcement. I do not remember the incidents or reasons for those sessions; there were many, but I did travel to New York with Paul, Diane Watrous, and Ed Mosley to work with the NYPD. I believe it was January 2002 after 9/11. We held numerous sessions with NYPD officers who were dealing with that horrible attack on the Twin Towers. Many were there when it occurred, and others were still working at Ground Zero or at the Staten Island landfill. I was impressed along with everyone else there with Paul’s input. Our team was very proud to say that Paul was one of ours. Paul is not only good at what he does but is a great individual. He truly cares about people, especially our law enforcement family. This is a great idea to honor those two……. Retired Sgt. Dean Mickelson
Dennis Potter is a Faculty member and has been involved with ICISF since 1987.
Paul LaBerteaux, Psy.D. has been a member of ICISF since 2009. ICISF is proud to have these two on our team supporting our mission and helping those who keep us safe.
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