Published by CUSTOM BOOK PUBLICATIONS * * * * * A shaken soft drink requires its cap to be slowly opened to release the pressure inside. Do it too many times and the drink loses its fizz. Just one traumatic event can shake a person's emotions so violently it can cause the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. The person is then left depressed, anxious and in need of help. What happens then, to a person who has their emotions shaken on a daily basis by the worst our society has to offer. Do they lose their fizz? Welcome to the unique profession of Policing. POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER... where the past controls today... as damaging as any life threatening incident officers face on the street During his twenty-one year service, Andrew Rae worked on the front line of his state Police Force, confronting scenes that should only be recognisable through the sterile screen of a television during a one hour crime drama. Not only were these horrors seen daily but he touched, heard and smelt them. Then, one quiet morning free of the usual chaos and drama, Andrew suffered a breakdown. He was now forced to face his biggest fear and fight his bravest battle... with himself. Based on real life events, Beneath The Cap delves into the tortured minds of three police officers who share a bond much stronger than the uniform they wear. The day about to confront them could be happening to any police officer, anywhere in the world THE STORY WILL SHOCK and CONFRONT YOU. Ricky, a rookie General Duties officer is excited about his day. But will his youthful innocence provide enough protection to contain the pressure building within? Thirty-four year old Rowdy is halfway through his Highway Patrol career. Imperfections forming in his hardening façade may cause a premature eruption of his emotions. Dick is a Scene of Crime Officer with twenty-one years' service. He has done it all and seen it all... So he thought. Confronted with the house of horrors, will his crusty outer shell be capable of containing its contents any longer? Stress is the silent force attacking our Police from within. The real tragedy is, many are then shunned or discarded like a worn out item of clothing. Come, take a walk in the shoes of those who suffer it the most... follow a day in their lives and the next thirteen and a half hours will seem like a lifetime. POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER... a genuine psychological illness or a weakness of character? YOU DECIDE.
About the Author: ABOUT THE AUTHOR * * * * * The Author was born, and grew up in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales in eastern Australia, During his school years, he was active in sports and music. After completion of his education, he took up accounting while studying for a Commerce degree at the University of Newcastle. Andrew Rae joined the New South Wales Police Force, graduating from his training at the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn in 1986. For the next twenty-one years, he served in four major country cities where duties were variously as a General Duties Officer, Highway Patrol Officer or Scene of Crime Officer, attaining the rank of Senior Constable. In 2006, he was diagnosed as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and discharged a year later. During his service, he earned the National Medal, one of the awards under the Australian honours system for individuals who serve or protect the community at the risk of their own death, injury or trauma. Other awards included the New South Wales Police Medal, 15 year and 20 year clasps to this medal and a Local Area Command Citation in recognition of his outstanding professionalism. Since his discharge he has been self-employed as a cleaning contractor. He and his wife of twenty-five years, have two adult children. Six years after his medical discharge, Andrew Rae still suffers the effects of PTSD.