Public safety workers with PTSD due for more counseling

Gov. Doug Ducey last week signed the Officer Craig Tiger Act, which provides more counseling services to public safety officials who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder because of their experiences on the job.

The law is named after a Phoenix police officer who was forced to shoot an assailant in 2012 and later took his own life as a result of undiagnosed PTSD. But the program is available to officers or firefighters who experience stressful situations, from child abuse to witnessing the death of a colleague or near-drownings.

“The death of Officer Tiger was a profound tragedy and deeply wounding loss,” the governor said. “All of us can and must move forward with action to make sure that our amazing officers and firefighters receive the help and care they need and deserve.”