The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is pleased to announce our partnership in collaboration with the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) to bring their much-needed services to our Long Beach community.

TIP was founded in 1985 and has 15 affiliates serving over 250 cities across the nation. In each affiliate, local volunteers are trained to respond to traumatic incidents within the City at the request of Police, Fire and Hospital personnel to provide emotional aid and practical support to victims of traumatic events and their families in the first few hours following a tragedy.

“When a crime occurs, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of victims has always been a priority for our department,” said Chief of Police Robert G. Luna. “Our partnership with TIP will provide additional counseling and peer support resources to our community members during their time of need.”

TIP provides an intensive 55-hour training for volunteers with continual training and education. Volunteers respond to a wide range of emergencies, such as traffic accidents, witness to a crime, death of a family member, or a disoriented elder. They provide support including a comprehensive resource guide, bilingual service, teen peer support, or comfort dogs. This partnership is a benefit to LBPD, as it allows officers to focus on the emergency, while TIP addresses the emotional support and care.

“The first few hours after a crisis situation has occurred are very confusing for everyone

involved,” said Wayne Fortin, program founder. “TIP volunteers provide the necessary temporary support to survivors of tragedy until they are able to depend on family members, friends and others. This support is very important to survivors.”

The LBPD is seeking Long Beach community members who want to make a difference in their communities and partake as TIP volunteers. No experience is necessary to be become a volunteer, but attendance at during a training academy is required. Training dates of the Training Academy can be found at www.TIPofLongBeach.org.

For more information call (562) 270-1246 or email [email protected]