Police crisis intervention specialist PhDr. David Ondráček, MBA, spoke with Oleg Vojtíšek.
My husband left for work this morning by car. A few hours later, the doorbell rings. You open the door: the police are standing there, delivering news that will change your life forever.
What exactly happens when someone comes to tell you that a loved one has passed away?
PhDr. David Ondráček, MBA, a police crisis intervention specialist, deals with the worst cases: tragedies, murders, and suicides. When he isn’t investigating them, he has only one task: to devote himself to his family and be there for them.
In those most urgent moments shortly after a death, it is he who rings your doorbell. But before that happens, he may very well “test the waters” — to see how you’ll react. To see if he’ll scare you, if he should be more afraid of you, or if you’ll try to run away.
But no matter what your history with the police may be, it's his job to break the news to you and reassure you during the worst of times.
Why should families learn about a death from a crisis counselor rather than from social media, the media, or friends?
How do you break this news to the children?
Can the police make sure they let you see the body one last time?
Police crisis intervention team members are all volunteers from among active-duty police officers. They have practical experience, but at the same time, they care deeply about what happens to the “collateral” victims of tragedies: the bereaved.
Listen to our podcast with David Ondráček about how and when the police (don't) help.