Ian McNeill

Take some time out with Ian McNeill, trainee psychotherapist and Senior Lecturer CPD Development in Policing at the Centre for Policing Research and Learning, Open University.

What do you currently do?

I work collaboratively with others to develop learning materials and courses at undergraduate and post-graduate level and undertake research that is relevant to policing.

How would you explain that in ten words or fewer?

I design, develop, and deliver courses for the police service.

Tell us about a typical working day.

Identifying learning needs and opportunities through horizon scanning and networking with police officers, staff and their representative bodies and other national organisations such as the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Responding to tenders, coordinating the centres response with colleagues across the University. Reviewing course materials from Open University modules that could be repurposed for policing purposes such as psychology, sociology, business, or law. Preparing to speak or present at conferences or seminars and providing advice to one of our 24 Police Force members on aspects of CPD delivery or organisational development.

How and why did you end up working in trauma?

I have previously worked as a registered nurse and a senior police officer. Both professions exposed me to a great deal of trauma and bereavement, especially as a detective superintendent when I was head of a major crime / homicide team. Back then you were not provided with any type of support, and consequently I witnessed many of my colleagues become dependent on alcohol and drugs.

Once I left the police service I worked in professional regulation and again witnessed first-hand doctors and nurses being exposed to traumatic events and placed under considerable strain with minimal support. I became involved with several incidents that saw dedicated practitioners take their own lives because of unresolved trauma. This together with my own families’ experiences in the Northern Ireland troubles during the 1970s and 80s led me to want to work clinically with individuals exposed to trauma.

I am presently in my second year of training to be a psychotherapist and hope to specialise in working with blue light and NHS professionals.

What are you currently working on?

My current research interest at the Centre for Policing Research and Learning is in organisational prevention strategies that might reduce the impact of police work on the mental health and wellbeing of officers and staff. Some colleagues and I are currently exploring with the Point of Care Foundation how Schwartz Rounds (used by some NHS Trusts) could be deployed into a policing context with a view to reducing the negative effects of working in such environments.

Where can we find your most recent publication or work?

Have a look at the Centre for Policing Research and Learning’s Research pages.

What excites you most about the field of traumatology?

While I am interested from a research point of view in preventive or upstream interventions I am absorbed from a clinical point of view in the treatment of PTSD, Complex PTSD, morale injury and betrayal. The impact of betrayal on treatment strategies is something that fascinates me because I have seen this aspect play out for real during years of service in the police and NHS.

Outside work, what’s your secret passion?

I really enjoy the theatre. I did try acting as a teenager but never had the courage to do it properly. My daughter is an actress and has performed in the West End and so I live part of my life vicariously through her success!

What are you currently reading?

Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II, by Robert Hardman
My partner bought it for me for me birthday.

Who, or whose work, do you particularly admire?

Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow was a revelation for me!

If you didn’t do what you do, what would you have done?

I would love to be a pilot. The ability to get those huge planes into the sky intrigues me and I love travelling so combined they make being a commercial pilot a dream job!

Where would we typically find you at 3pm on a Saturday?

The garden, shopping, the cinema or looking after my two grandchildren!

Where would you rather be right now?

New Zealand!

Why did you join the UKPTS?

As someone relatively new to the therapeutic environment and PTSD specifically I was looking for respected resources that might assist my development as a trainee psychotherapist. The texts / articles were often written by American Academics and healthcare professionals.

I came across UKPTS through online searches and then attended the Annual Conference in 2022. It was simply fantastic from my point of view. So many people from a very broad church. Once I joined the UKPTS I’ve been given access to many useful references, power points and reading. It represents such great value.

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