A police officer in Watford, Hertfordshire, has used a new work-sharing programme to confront long-term trauma from a fire he survived nearly 30 years ago. According to a report released on February 23, 2026, Detective Constable Kevin Coghlan took part in the Swapping Hats initiative to address symptoms of post-traumatic stress that began affecting his work.
The Swapping Hats scheme was created by Inspector Karen Hutchinson of the Hertfordshire Police Federation to let police officers shadow staff in the fire and ambulance services. The project was originally designed to improve multi-agency cooperation and understanding, but it is now being highlighted for its role in supporting the mental health of officers who have experienced distressing events.
According to the Hertfordshire Police Federation, DC Coghlan survived an arson attack at a pub in 1997 but found his past trauma resurfaced while attending a fire scene as an officer in 2022. To help manage his fear of fire, he spent a day with the White Watch team at the Watford Fire Station where he wore full fire gear and a breathing apparatus to take part in a rescue exercise inside a building filled with smoke.
The success of the local project previously caught the attention of JESIP, a national body that sets standards for how emergency services work together. The organisation recommends the Swapping Hats scheme as a model for national practice in joint organisational learning to improve how emergency services collaborate on the frontline.
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