Police Chief Magazine|Topics|Mental Health
Community-Police Engagement
Police officer in uniform stands beside light pink SUV, speaking to driver through open window on suburban street with leafless trees and buildings behind
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Effective Sensory Bags for Safer Interactions

In the United States, 1 in 31 children eight years of age has autism spectrum disorder (ASD).1 ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication...
Officer Safety & Wellness
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Nobody Fights Alone

Every day, police officers around the world encounter individuals in crisis. Unfortunately, some of these individuals are military veterans suffering from unique challenges associated with their servi...
Mental Health
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Strengthening the Shield

Being a police officer can be a demanding and difficult job. In fact, police officers are often exposed to stressful situations while on duty. These situations include, but are not limited to, dangero...
Mental Health
A person is sitting on a white couch with a golden retriever lying beside them. The person is wearing a black hoodie, gray sweatpants, and reflective sunglasses. The golden retriever appears relaxed with its head resting on the person's lap. There is another armchair to the left of the couch, and in the background, there are dark-colored cabinets with labels including one that reads "JUNK DRAWER." A blue blanket or sheet is partially visible at the bottom of the image.
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Fight or Flight in Overdrive

Across the landscape of police wellness, there is a critical missing piece when it comes to supporting those who serve and protect. The missing piece is this: Just as multiple head injuries cre...
Mental Health
A person stands alone in the middle of a dimly lit street at night. The scene is illuminated by several streetlights, casting an orange glow through the fog. The person is silhouetted against the light, making it difficult to discern any facial features or specific details about their appearance. Trees and buildings line both sides of the street, and a pedestrian crossing is visible beneath the person's feet. The atmosphere appears eerie and quiet, with no other people or vehicles in sight.
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The Science, Honor, and Dignity of Stories

There is a saying that “stories are science,” and this notion holds particular significance when conducting psychological autopsies to investigate police officer suicides among active and retired ...
Officer Safety & Wellness
a man with short gray hair seated in the driver's seat of a car. He is wearing a dark-colored shirt and has his left hand on the steering wheel while his right hand is placed on the back of his neck, suggesting discomfort or pain. The interior of the car is visible, including the headrest of the passenger seat and part of the dashboard. The background outside the car shows blurred greenery and structures, indicating that it might be parked near a residential area or similar environment. The man's face is visible, showing a neutral expression.
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Unseen Injuries

When an officer is involved in a shooting or another serious use-of-force incident, they are often sent for a fitness for duty exam (FFDE) prior to returning to work. If an officer is engaging in high...
Leadership Insight
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Leadership Insights: Navigating Crisis and Resilience

In an 18-month period, my agency in Dayton, Ohio, faced a series of unprecedented challenges: a significant water emergency due to a major pipe break, a large-scale white supremacist rally requiring t...
Officer Safety & Wellness
Happy couple riding bicycles outside, healthy lifestyle fun concept
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The Six Facets of Holistic Wellness

Police officers play a crucial role in maintaining public safety and upholding the law. Their profession demands resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to protecting and serving their communities....
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