New Zealand Police: Enhancing Leadership and Resilience

Jeff Thompson, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Associate Research Scientist at the Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Research Area of the New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University Medical Center. Additionally, he is a 17-year law enforcement veteran detective with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and a former hostage negotiator. In his role at the NYPD, Detective Thompson is currently the first-ever Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator helping conduct research and outreach on the department's suicide prevention efforts, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and raising awareness of resources available to both police officers and the public. His research includes hostage negotiation in terrorist incidents, suicide prevention strategies, psychological autopsies, resilience and developing positive mental health strategies, and the use of effective communication during crisis incidents. He also develops and teaches curriculum on resilience, mental wellness, suicide prevention, crisis negotiation and communication, and engaging people in crisis and those with a mental illness. His training material has been implemented in police agencies across the United States and beyond. Dr. Thompson received his doctorate from Griffith University Law School having researched the development of rapport, building trust, and displaying professionalism during conflict situations.  Dr. Thompson is also an adjunct instructor at Lipscomb University and New York University. Additionally, He is the recipient of the Griffith University Arts, Education and Law's 2020 Outstanding International Alumnus Award and The New York City Police Foundation's 2020 Hemmerdinger Award for Excellence for Distinguished Public Service. 

Dr Jacqueline M. Drew is a police scholar with the Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Australia. Dr Drew has over 20 years of experience in law enforcement, as a practitioner and researcher. She is a psychologist, holding a PhD in organizational psychology. She provides expert advice to law enforcement on organizational systems and personnel practices, including police mental health and suicide, leadership, promotion systems and women and policing. Her work has translated into training of law enforcement personnel across Australia and United States, she works with police agencies to improve operational police practice and strives to make a positive impact on the working lives of police.