In July 2023, the Everyday Reflection was launched. There is a central facility (ZARex) in the LAFP NRW and regional offices (RARex) in the authorities with regional training centers. Everyday reflection is a moderated and open discussion in a group. It is intended to provide a space for exchanging ideas and discussing daily work. Everyday reflection is mandatory once a year for police officers in operational service with contact with the public.
The format is new for the police and not for everyone. But the feedback is largely positive," says Kathrin Henz from RARex in Dortmund. Like her colleagues, the qualified teacher with additional training in counseling and supervision has previously spent more than three months in various directorates to get a feel for everyday working life in the police force.
"The everyday reflection usually lasts three to four hours. If desired, follow-up appointments can be arranged for groups or individuals," explains Henz. Dortmund Aplerbeck police station, for example, took a lot away from the appointment. "We are a pool station and otherwise don't have the opportunity to meet with all 23 people," says David Ryrko. "Everyone got involved and we improved communication at our station afterwards, for example." The fact that the specialists for everyday reflection are not police officers themselves was viewed positively by the service group. "The view from the outside helps," says Martina Zeiger.
Since January 2024, the approximately 6,000 managers in the NRW police force have been able to take advantage of the extended and decentralized management advice provided by the central office and the regional FüFBI offices (ZFüFBI/RFüFBI). A frequent topic of advice is, for example, the management-related handling of change processes.
Christine Kreuz has been deputy head of the police department at Hamm police headquarters since June and took advantage of the coaching when she took on her new role. Previously, she was a clerk at the authority for ten years.
"I did the coaching to help me make the switch between the two roles. I now have to make decisions that don't always go down well and change my focus," says the 39-year-old. A common topic for management consultant Klaus Schaar from Dortmund Police Headquarters: "The relationship with the team changes in a situation like this. It's important to be aware of the change in role and the new requirements," he explains.
Coaching usually makes sense for specific issues. If the manager wants to prepare for a conflict meeting, for example, a single session may be sufficient. Supervision, on the other hand, involves a wide-ranging reflection on day-to-day management work. Another option is peer counseling. The coaches help managers to get together in fixed groups to advise each other on a regular basis. The consultants accompany and moderate the first meetings until the participants are confident enough. "The groups are autonomous, but we provide them with useful tools in a workshop. Over time, the exchange becomes more and more familiar and the managers can learn a lot from each other," says Schaar.
The central office and the regional PSU offices (ZPSU/RPSU) are specialist psychological services that offer all police employees low-threshold support on issues relating to mental health in the form of individual discussions and group offers. "The services are very well received," explains Sophia Saftien, psychologist and licensed psychotherapist at the ZPSU.
The counseling concerns are diverse: for example, operational situations that are no longer out of the mind, or concerns about changing through confrontation with violence and suffering. The focus of the counseling is on maintaining or restoring mental health.
"I didn't even know what was wrong with me - I didn't know myself like that," says one client. "Then I called them. The counselor worked with me to sort out my thoughts and feelings and showed me ways forward. Now I have a better overview of myself. I use the service at longer intervals to continue taking good care of myself."
The contact options are simple, reports Sophia Saftien: "We work in strict confidence and are subject to confidentiality. You can contact us directly, without going through any official channels. We also have a telephone consultation hour: You can speak directly to a psychologist every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12 noon." Contact options and useful information on psychosocial support can also be found on the intranet homepage