Why Successful Police Reform Must Start in the Therapist’s Office | John Monaghan | TEDxPortsmouth

The silence around chronic exposure to trauma, cultural stress, and suicide is often a hidden or taboo topic within police departments. John weaves personal stories from his career and the challenges he faced both in the department and out on the street around taking care of the public as well as his own mental health. He challenges the culture in policing of toughness and silence by being transparent that officers need to take care of themselves and one another. Punctuated with humor John makes it safe to realize the most courageous thing you can do, is ask for help. John is a retired police chief whose work on unpacking gender-based violence and challenging assumptions about what it means to be “a real man” helped transform his department. His approach — and subsequent success — was featured in the 2019 Nantucket Project documentary film “The Box.” Currently a law enforcement recruiter for the Center for Policing Equity, he regularly consults at a Boston-based racial equity firm where he facilitated workshops in racial equity in relation to organizational development. John is married and in his spare time enjoys riding bikes, cross-country skiing, and performing in Portsmouth’s local comedy scene. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx