Law enforcement officers who have experienced a critical incident during their careers will have an opportunity to participate in a specialized program focused on recovery, resilience, and peer support when the South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program hosts Post Critical Incident Seminar 64 in Lexington.
The seminar will be held October 26–28, 2026, at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church. There is no course fee, and participation is limited to 35 officers.
Designed for Officers Who Have Been There
The Post Critical Incident Seminar is an experiential program for officers who have experienced critical incidents firsthand. SCLEAP describes its goal as turning vulnerability into strength through education, coping strategies, and peer support.
Even when officers receive strong support immediately after a critical incident, the effects can continue long after the event. PCIS provides education about trauma, patterns of recovery, and field-tested coping strategies. Peer support is a central part of the program, allowing participants to talk with other officers who have faced similar experiences. The PCIS format originated with the FBI in 1983, and SCLEAP has hosted seminars in South Carolina since January 2000.
What Is a Critical Incident?
Critical incidents can take many forms. SCLEAP defines a critical incident as an event that results in an overwhelming sense of vulnerability or loss of control.
Examples include line-of-duty shootings, being shot or seriously injured on the job, high-speed pursuits that end in tragedy, incidents involving prolonged critical media attention, and personal tragedies.
The seminar gives participants an opportunity to share their experiences with peers, give and receive support, work with mental health professionals familiar with law enforcement, and learn strategies intended to support recovery from previous incidents and strengthen their ability to respond to future challenges.
Facilitators include law enforcement peers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement chaplains. The program is available to sworn officers from state and local agencies as well as federal law enforcement.
Three Days of Specialized Programming
The three-day schedule combines education, peer discussion, and opportunities for participants to work through their experiences.
Monday begins with an introduction to the PCIS model, the seminar team, confidentiality, and ground rules. Participants will also learn about EMDR before moving into critical incident summaries and other activities.
Tuesday’s program includes phases of emotional recovery, small-group discussions, opportunities for EMDR, law enforcement relationships, and medicine and alcohol-related issues. Wednesday includes sessions addressing fear and coping, additional small-group discussions, and a concluding roundtable discussion.
Recertification credit is available through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy for sworn officers.
Spouses and Telecommunicators Welcome
The impact of a critical incident does not necessarily stop with the officer involved. Spouses and significant others are encouraged to attend with their officer, and 911 telecommunicators who have been affected by work-related critical incidents are also welcome to participate.
A spouse or significant other attending the seminar should complete a separate registration form.
Registration Is Limited
PCIS 64 is limited to 35 officers, and registrations will be handled on a first-come basis. Once all available positions have been filled, SCLEAP will establish a waiting list based on the date registrations are received.
There is no fee to attend the seminar. SCLEAP will provide five meals during the program: lunch and supper Monday, lunch and supper Tuesday, and lunch Wednesday. Sending agencies are responsible for hotel expenses for participating officers, or officers may commute to the training each day.
The recommended hotel is the Hampton Inn, 4751 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072, at 803-722-5800. Agencies are responsible for making and paying for lodging arrangements.
Seminar Information
Dates: October 26–28, 2026
Location: Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church
Address: 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072
Monday Registration: 8:00 a.m.
Seminar Begins: 8:30 a.m. Monday
Course Fee: None
Capacity: 35 officers
The seminar normally concludes at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Participants should complete the PCIS 64 registration form and submit it to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program. The registration form asks participants to briefly describe the critical incident in which they were involved.
Completed forms may be scanned and emailed to eskidmore@sled.sc.gov. Questions may be directed to J. Eric Skidmore at 803-252-2664 or 803-206-8961. Additional information about the Post Critical Incident Seminar is available through SCLEAP.
