By Safe Call Now Admin
At Safe Call Now we are so grateful for the men and women who volunteer their time to serve all first responders, retirees and their family members nationwide in their times of need. You will never know who they are or what they look like and probably don’t care at 2:00 am because you just need help. Our Peer Advocates are so dedicated to guiding you through your time of crisis that we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce them to you. They really are special individuals.
Marcia Williams is a retired police officer from Southern California. During her 20 year stint she served as her department’s Crisis Intervention Coordinator, was a law enforcement facilitator at the police academy for Crisis Intervention Training for new recruits, was a member on her department’s Peer Support Unit, and taught Domestic Violence Prevention at the women’s shelter. Marcia obtained her Associates of Science degree in Psychology and has certified training in Critical Incident Stress Management and drug and alcohol intervention.
Marcia became a Peer Advocate for Safe Call Now in 2014, after she herself became dependent on opiates and attempted suicide, after her forced retirement. Since then, Marcia presented on topics such as Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention for Law Enforcement and How to Interact with Individuals who are Mentally Ill. Marcia was diagnosed with PTSD shortly after her retirement and is still under going trauma therapy. Marcia is currently enrolled in a 29-week certification program to become a counselor for drug and alcohol addiction. Marcia has dedicated her new life journey to help first responders through their crisis.
Safe Call Now: 24 Hour Confidential Hotline: 206-459-3020
For more information on the First Responders program: Click here
Or call Shannon Clairemont at 661-466-6352 or Vanessa Stapleton at 304-651-3008
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Published by armorupnow
Sean Riley is the Founder and President of Safe Call Now, a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide. Safe Call Now was started in 2009 after legislation was passed guaranteeing confidentiality nationwide for all who call the Safe Call Now crisis line that is staffed by current and former first responders.
Sean played baseball for San Diego State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration. He started his law enforcement career as a San Diego County Deputy Sheriff in 1987 and later relocated to Washington State in 1990. Sean spent over 16 years with the Kirkland Police Department. His many accomplishments include being a member of the International Homicide Investigator's Association, Homicide and Sexual Assault Detective, Interview and Interrogation Specialist, D.A.R.E. Officer, Gang Officer and Certified Training Officer. Riley is also credited with solving one of the first ever elder abuse homicide cases in the nation.
Sean's prominent career in law enforcement ended in 2005 when he could no longer hide his "secret" behind the badge. Sean threw away his almost 20-year stellar police career due to alcohol and drug addiction and was headed towards suicide to become just another unknown statistic. In addition to attending college for substance abuse counseling, Sean worked as a supervisor at a local treatment center where he witnessed many public safety employees coming in and out of treatment. Riley decided to do something about it. From his own experience, he knew that first responders wanted to come forward to help, but due to the stigma attached, they would not. Admitting to a substance abuse or mental health problem is perceived as a sign of weakness and could result in the termination from a noble career. By creating a safe and confidential place to reach out for help, first responders are now coming forward in droves from around the nation to better their lives, better their families and better their careers.
Recognized as a dynamic national keynote speaker, Sean travels throughout the country to share his inspirational story. Coupled with cutting edge, interactive training, Riley hits those once thought of as "taboo" or "controversial" topics head-on.
"Safe Call Now provides education, healthy alternatives, resources and a complete continuum of care to save lives and put families back together. Through a collaborative effort, Safe Call Now has discovered when you provide an opportunity for an individual to get their life and their family back, you get one great employee back out serving the public."
- Sean Riley, Founder/President
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