[MUST-READ: How the law enforcement system retraumatizes and sometimes kills people who have ACEs/PTSD.]
"The psychiatrist and former soldier who was treating Greg Matters for post-traumatic stress disorder asked RCMP if he could speak to the former peacekeeper as he was surrounded by heavily armed police officers at his rural British Columbia farm, a coroner's inquest into his death heard Wednesday.
Dr. Greg Passey said he received a call the evening of Sept. 10, 2012, from an officer who said Matters was inside a cabin and threatening to shoot members of the emergency response team who had formed a perimeter outside....
"I discussed how he feels threatened by police and the justice system and that he has said that he will defend himself and his house if he is threatened," Passey testified....
"I said something to the effect that you don't want him backed into a corner where he does not feel he has any options. If you push him into that situation, he will defend himself. I was fairly certain of that," Passey testified. "All the while I was expecting to be able to talk to him."...
"Matters had a history of being traumatized from an earlier age but two assaults he suffered in the military were major triggers, Passey testified....
"Asked if he had any recommendations that might prevent similar deaths in the future, Passey lamented the many "unknown fallen" who have died quietly of what he calls operational-stress injury.
"He said every police officer should have to undergo regular, updated training on dealing with PTSD and other trauma-related disorders...."
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