Which of the following is a thought or feeling an officer can experience after an OIS?

Experiencing numbness after an officer-involved shooting (OIS) is recognized as a common psychological response. Following such intense and traumatic events, individuals, including law enforcement officers, may struggle with a range of emotions, and numbness can serve as a defense mechanism to cope with the overwhelming nature of the experience. This feeling can manifest as a sense of detachment or emotional flatness, where the officer may feel disconnected from their emotions or experiences.

Numbness can protect against the immediate emotional impact of the shooting, allowing the officer to function in the aftermath while processing the event. It is essential to acknowledge these feelings as part of the broader spectrum of trauma responses, highlighting the importance of mental health support for officers involved in such critical incidents. The alternatives do not accurately reflect the emotional complexity and reality of such experiences following an OIS.