“Supporting Our Community”: Exploring the Impact of a Multi-Agency Police Peer Support Program

• In Event: NIJ’s LEADS Scholars Panel: Promoting Effective Management and Officer Retention within Law Enforcement Agencies

Abstract

Policing is a high-stress career which can have serious impacts on officers’ mental health and wellness. The current study expands upon an emerging approach to promote officer well-being: peer support programs. Little research has evaluated the implementation of such programs in the U.S. Focusing on one multi-agency peer support program implemented among policing agencies in southern New Jersey, development and design are described. Descriptive analyses offer insight into the prevalence of wellness topics discussed among officers and types of interventions taking place among peer support members. Findings provide learning lessons that may prove useful for future program implementation.

Authors

• Janice Iwama, American University

• Melissa Kilmer, American University

• William Walsh, Voorhees Police Department