Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS)

The Overall Goal of the Post Critical Incident Seminar is to turn vulnerability into strength by utilizing proven peer support strategies and processes.

What is PCIS? The Post Critical Incident Seminar is a three-day workshop, delivered by LEMIT and is designed for first responders, as well as active and veteran military personnel, who have experienced traumatic life-altering incidents while in the performance of their duties. Despite the best support immediately following a critical incident, there are sometimes be long lasting effects that can inhibit one’s ability to return to what they believe is their sense of normalcy. Going through a critical incident can be like crossing over a fence with no opportunity to jump back. A critical incident can disrupt one’s basic worldview or perspective about the way things are or should be. It can sometimes leave us vulnerable while having to come to grips emotionally with a reality that those who lack such experience cannot understand. The job, the streets, one's weapon and/or mission can start to be perceived differently. The Post Critical Incident Seminar will provide education on trauma, patterns of resolution, and field-tested coping strategies to promote recovery and resilience and peer support is an important element in the process. Discussion of incidents with fellow first responders or military veterans who have "been there" promotes normalization and recovery. This format has been in use by the FBI since 1985.

What is a Critical Incident? A Critical Incident is any event that results in an overwhelming sense of vulnerability and/or loss of control. This could include but is not limited to line of duty shootings, getting shot or seriously injured on the job, high speed pursuits that end in tragedy, events that bring prolonged and critical media attention, personal tragedies, and the like.

Who should attend? PCIS is offered to first responders, tele-communicators, and active and veteran military personnel who have been through highly traumatic events, PCIS can be the difference between long lasting effects of trauma going unresolved and unexamined and thus keeping one from entering a road to recovery.

What will I get out of this? An opportunity to share one's experience with one's peers, give and receive peer support, participate in sessions with mental health professionals who are experienced in communicating with first responders, tele-communicators, and active and veteran military personnel while utilizing proven trauma recovery methods. Additionally, participants will learn coping strategies that will enable recovery from past critical incidents and strengthen one's ability to deal with future incidents.

What will it cost? There is no registration fee for the seminar. Lunches are provided each day and lodging is covered for participants who choose to lodge with us at our designated event hotel. Participants and/or their department or agency will cover the costs associated with travel.

Participants are highly encouraged to bring their spouse, as they can also be affected by the critical incident that the participant experienced.

Please use separate registration forms for you and your spouse.

Topics Covered / Course Objectives

  • Share experiences with fellow officers who have been involved in traumatic incidents
  • Give and receive support
  • Understand trauma recovery methods by working with law enforcement-related mental health professionals
  • Learn coping strategies to recovery from past trauma and build resiliency for future incidents
  • Utilize the Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing Technique to help resolve recurring trauma

Who Should Attend / Admission Requirements

  • First responders, telecommunicators and active and veteran military personnel who have been adversely affected by highly traumatic events.
  • Spouses are encouraged to attend with the participant

Course Length

Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS) is a three-day course.

Course Hours

Participants receive 24 hours of TCOLE (3849) credit.

Course Cost / Fee Policy

Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS) is offered at no cost for all eligible law enforcement officers, tele-communicators, and active and veteran military personnel.

Registration Process

Registration is 100% online and each participant must complete their own registration form. To register, please see the "Upcoming Events" section below and click on the desired seminar offering you would like to register for. Once you have completed your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional program details.

If you do not receive a Registration Confirmation from our office after two weeks of registration, please contact the Program Coordinator

Cancellation / No-Show Policy

Please inform the Program Coordinator prior to the date of the program if you will not be attending.

Course Contact

Camara Walden, Coordinator - Professional Development Programs
Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas
George J. Beto Criminal Justice Building
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77341-2417
Fax: (936) 294-3926
Phone: (936) 294-4995
Phone: 800-477-9248
lemitpdp@shsu.edu

Upcoming Events

* Additional fees may apply

StatusDateTitleLocationRegistrationFee
OPENJan 15 - 17, 2025Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS) Odessa, TX Register Online No Charge
OPENApr 30 - May 02, 2025Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS) Dallas, TX Register Online No Charge

* Additional fees may apply

Additional Information

Hotel, Travel, and Meals:
The participant or their agency is responsible for expenses incurred while traveling to and from the seminar. Lunches are provided for each participant. Lodging is provided for each participant who chooses to lodge with us at the designated event hotel. Hotel information will be included in the confirmation email.

Dress for the Week:
Casual dress for the seminar with the exception of shorts/flipflops. Participants should feel as comfortable as needed. It is always recommended to bring a light jacket in case the training room is cold.

Firearms:
If you choose to wear your duty weapon you may do so in full uniform or in plain clothes with your badge fully displayed. Individuals who are 21 years of age and who currently possess a handgun license from the State of Texas or an approved reciprocating state may legally carry a concealed handgun on or about their person. Handguns may be carried on campus, except at collegiate and UIL athletic events, health and counseling centers, and other specified locations on campus. Signs will clearly identify prohibited sites around campus.

Tobacco Products:
In order to promote a healthy, safe, and aesthetically pleasing work and educational environment, Sam Houston State University endorses a smoke free and tobacco free environment. Tobacco use (including smokeless tobacco) is not permitted on campus grounds. Electronic cigarettes/vaping products are also prohibited.

LEMIT Building and Parking:

The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas is located at 1600 Bobby K. Marks Dr., Huntsville, Texas, at the corner of Bobby K. Marks and Bearkat Boulevard on the campus of Sam Houston State University. It also is located right next door to the University Hotel.

  • ALL vehicles must be registered to park on the SHSU campus. This includes marked agency vehicles.
  • Prior to your class, you will receive information on how to register your vehicle and where to park.
  • For visitors and guests, there are pay-by-hour spaces along Bobby K. Marks Street and Bearkat Boulevard; however, these are managed through the City of Huntsville system and are not part of the University permits. Follow instructions listed on street signs for payment options and be sure to select "Huntsville" when asked to select a location. For more information on the City of Huntsville system, visit Huntsville Paid Parking.
  • Parking is also available for visitors in the Sam Houston Parking Garage, located at 1730 Avenue I, within walking distance to LEMIT. The parking garage contains approximately 250 hourly use parking spaces. Visitors should not park in the parking spaces that are numbered; the numbered spaces are reserved for Garage Permit Holders only. For directions to the SHSU Parking Garage, please click here.