The surge in support for officer safety and wellness over the last decade has been profound, and positive momentum is on the rise. It began with compelling research on first responder physical and mental health, and the tragically high statistics of preventable injury, illness, and early mortality discovered were heartbreaking.

However, police professionals did not cave and did not cower. They united. Officers and leaders channeled their energy squarely into facing the tragic statistics head-on, and the profession rose to the challenge to change them, honoring their beloved brothers and sisters in the field along the way and dedicating themselves to making the future better and brighter than the past. Each year, more agencies and industry professionals joined the mission, expanding it into a robust movement that has increased officer safety and organizational wellness nationally and internationally.

Today, both tangible and intangible success can be seen in the officer safety and wellness movement. The clear, decisive actions taken by noble, selfless, courageous police leaders and their staff, together with dedicated industry professionals and organizations, are making a positive impact. Structurally speaking, research initiatives and first responder surveys have evolved into well-organized and well-coordinated annual data reports and publications that identify evolving health and wellness needs of first responders each year. Large-scale federal grant programs (such as the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act grant program) have been formed to help agencies of all sizes develop and implement their very own, fully operational wellness programs with full-time wellness directors, resources, and more. Many U.S. states have proudly established new legislation that supports officer safety and wellness, and very successful wellness challenge competitions and support networks have also been formed. At the heart of it all, clear improvements in officer safety, health, wellness, and quality of life can be seen, which remains the highest priority and north star.

The IACP has been a key driving force for progress. Each year, together with their partners, the association has continued to strengthen the mission of officer safety and wellness by showcasing an ever-expanding collection of evidence-proven best practices for agency wellness program design and implementation at the IACP Officer Safety and Wellness Conference, as well as through the Officer Safety and Wellness Learning Collaborative, the CRI-TAC Technical Training and Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Justice – Bureau of Justice Assistance VALOR Program, and much more. With everyone’s collective efforts, agencies now have access to evidence-based wellness program policies, toolkits, and programs, as well as professional subject matter experts, full support networks, and technology, all designed to support and enhance officer safety and wellness.

As the mission and movement of officer safety and wellness continues to accelerate and expand, it’s important to keep everyone connected and informed on progress made, gaps that need to be filled, new needs that are arising, and opportunities ahead so that stakeholders can effectively contribute their strengths to advance the mission and avoid reinventing the wheel. The IACP Officer Safety and Organizational Wellness Section (OSOW) is well positioned to help facilitate that through the collaboration of pure-hearted, accomplished, selfless, and collaborative police professionals (of all ranks) and subject matter experts in the field.

Physical Health Working Group

Together, this working group helps carry forward the purpose of the IACP OSOW Section by offering the policing profession education and a forum for discussion that is specifically focused on physical health–related topics. Specifically, this working group often discusses tactical athleticism, nutrition, sleep, heart health, and longevity, among other topics.

Key Highlights of Recent Advances

The Physical Health Working Group recently shared educational materials and discussions related to building and sustaining meaningful and measurable physical health program success (in both academy and agency settings). As part of that, they discussed emerging, cutting-edge research on first responder physical fitness being conducted by working group members who work for leading U.S. universities, including Oklahoma State University, Georgia Southern University, Point Loma University, Texas A&M University, and more.

Additionally, the group’s footprint has expanded, happily welcoming new members to the working group and encouraging everyone to utilize the best practices published by the IACP (and government organizations) to thoughtfully implement physical health programs with and for employees so that they can experience strong, sustainable program success. The working group’s current membership is representative of agencies of all sizes, and all members benefit from sharing updates and success stories together. For example, working group members who are working at large agencies that are widely dispersed can gain inspiration from wellness leaders at the Texas Department of Public Safety, who have established one of the most robust, innovative systems to successfully reach and support all recruits and staff members, as that has resulted in increased tactical athleticism, holistic health, and more. Also, working group members who are working at smaller, more locally focused departments can gain inspiration from the Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, Department of Public Safety’s health and wellness program, which established innovative and advanced techniques for leading live, on-site tactical athlete trainings that instilled a culture of physical health and fitness to increase tactical athleticism, holistic health, and more.

Current Industry Gaps, Emerging Needs, and Current Projects

The foundational principles of police physical health program development are serving as excellent building blocks and standing the test of time. Looking ahead, it will be important to continue building collaborative relationships to share educational resources that can help further expand and advance the industry. Copious research has proven that every police officer can benefit from obtaining and maintaining optimal physical health throughout their career and into retirement, and this increased focus is the perfect opportunity to make that happen. That said, it won’t happen without coordinated effort and dedication. Looking ahead, working group members, friends, and colleagues will need to continue uniting to help agencies successfully implement results-focused physical health and wellness programs that help employees not only survive but thrive. Together, the profession can make embedded, robust physical health support and programs the industry standard. Doing so will be a win for all agencies and the communities they serve.

Officer Suicide Prevention Working Group

Officer suicide remains a significant problem in policing. Although progress has been made in research and the dissemination of prevention information about this serious issue has increased, it remains a challenge to get this information and resources to officers and their families. In fact, the vast amount of information and literature regarding officer suicide has become an impediment to getting essential information to officers and their families in a simplified and direct way. The OSOW Section’s Officer Suicide Prevention Working Group has identified the critical gap in providing this educational information to police families, which is essential for effective prevention efforts.

Key Highlights of Recent Advances

The working group’s current focus is to find innovative ways to get critical suicide prevention information to police families, utilizing virtual educational offerings and printed materials that all agencies can tailor to meet this need. To advance this effort, a cost-free officer wellness infographic, Survive to Thrive, is currently in development. It will offer agencies a concise, visually engaging educational resource.

Additionally, the IACP is excited about an upcoming Voices of Resilience educational video series that will be released by the section. This series will feature personal stories from law enforcement personnel and family members who help illustrate the intersection of professional and personal identity and show the human side of suicide prevention. These initiatives reflect a commitment to normalizing suicide prevention within the policing community and delivering practical, relatable educational resources that support officer and family wellness.

Current Industry Gaps, Emerging Needs, and Current Projects

Looking ahead, the Officer Suicide Prevention Working Group will focus on developing a series of brief educational webinars dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Each will offer accessible and practical guidance for policing personnel and their families. In addition, the working group plans to initiate research exploring the possible connection between traumatic brain injury resulting from blast exposures and officer suicide, aiming to better understand and address this critical issue within the policing profession.

Mental Health Working Group

The Mental Health Working Group focuses on identifying gaps in officer wellness and reducing stigma surrounding help-seeking for mental health. Its work helps reduce stigma, advance mental health support, and strengthen wellness systems within public safety agencies by offering practical, evidence-informed educational resources and leadership-driven strategies that promote psychological readiness, resilience, and early intervention.

Key Highlights of Recent Advances

There is a growing national recognition of the need for proactive mental health programs within public safety agencies. As part of this shift, the development of standardized language, unified educational content, and shared resources has become essential to reducing confusion surrounding mental health stigma. In support of that, the working group recently hosted an IACP town hall discussion to explore how the language used can increase or decrease stigma. The event helped shed light on the importance of thoughtful communication, and it was well received by attendees.

Current Industry Gaps, Emerging Needs, and Current Projects

In early 2026, the Mental Health Working Group also completed a national survey on mental health stigma within U.S. policing and presented the results at an IACP conference. Currently, the working group is exploring the creation of a Stigma Reduction Education Kit. Based on group discussion, it could include shared success stories and education on innovative practices that can help reduce the stigma around seeking mental health support.

Family Support Working Group

Officers and civilian staff members are increasingly seeking agency support that reflects the full scope of their lived experience, including healthier work-life integration. As a result, traditional wellness models must be recalibrated to meet today’s challenges and opportunities for holistic resilience. The Family Support Working Group aims to offer agencies with actionable information and education to foster resilient officers, healthier families, and stronger organizations overall.

Key Highlights of Recent Advances

The Family Support Working Group is focused on offering practical educational resources that help support agencies interested in building, enhancing, and sustaining family wellness programs. Specifically, the working group has recently discussed offering educational resources to help agencies learn about assessing their current practices, identifying gaps, and leading agency-wide, culturally relevant strategies that strengthen both the workforce and the families who support it.

Current Industry Gaps, Emerging Needs, and Current Projects

Key emerging needs in police family wellness include internal agency resources (such as family-inclusive onboarding protocols and wellness education); family-centered education on communication, expectations, and the realities of police work; and opportunities for building local support networks. These networks may include peer-based family groups, partnerships with community organizations, and access to culturally competent clinicians familiar with the unique stressors of policing.

Called to Help

The IACP OSOW Section is excited to continue helping policing professionals not only survive but thrive. All IACP members are eligible to join the section and these important efforts. The IACP OSOW Section recognizes that each person can offer unique and important perspectives in officer safety and organizational wellness, and these perspectives are welcomed. By bringing unique experiences, stories, and expertise to the section, all IACP members can help make the next era of officer safety and wellness better and brighter than ever before. To learn more about the OSOW Section, please visit the IACP Officer Safety and Organizational Wellness Section web page. To join and participate, please connect with any working group chairs or section leaders.d

Please cite as:

Michael Harper, et al., “A Look Inside the Next Era of Wellness,” IACP@Work, Police Chief 93, no. 5 (May 2026): 58–61.