Phoenix officials to address PTSD among police

PHOENIX — As a family continues to mourn the loss of former Phoenix police officer Craig Tiger, city leaders are planning to make an announcement regarding changes to the way both the Phoenix Police Department and the Phoenix Fire Department help first responders deal with trauma, specifically, those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“All of our officers and firefighters do unfortunately get involved in traumatic situations,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “It has an impact on them, their families and their futures. We want to make sure we are doing a better job moving forward. It’s something both the city manager and I take very seriously.”

Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher has asked for a preliminary report into how the city handles PTSD and possible improvements to be completed in the next 90 days.

“As an employer of first responders, the city needs to be at the leading edge of training and support for our employees who may experience traumatic events,” he said in a release.

The Phoenix Police Department and it’s leader, Chief Daniel Garcia, have come under fire recently. Union leaders accuse both of not having done enough to help former officer Craig Tiger, who killed himself after being terminated from the department. The 12-year vet was diagnosed with PTSD after shooting and killing a suspect in 2012.

The officer was arrested for driving under the influence and subsequently fired in June 2013. Union representatives claim officer Tiger plead his case during a hearing, but the chief was unsympathetic to the man’s mental health issues.

In a statement, Garcia said the department was saddened by Tiger’s death but would not comment on it until after the funeral out of respect for the family.

The mayor would not comment on whether or not he supported Chief Garcia’s decision to fire the troubled officer.