Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden recently announced the launch of a new Officer Wellness Unit, a program designed to help police officers cope with the emotional and mental stresses of their job.
McFadden, acknowledged that when he first started his career, seeking help for mental or emotional issues was seen as a sign of weakness. But times have changed, and McFadden is now leading by example, sharing his own stories and encouraging his officers to talk about the difficult things they've experienced on the job.
The Officer Wellness Unit will consist of two wellness officers, a police psychologist, and new counseling rooms in the police operations building in downtown Stockton. According to former Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones, officers often witness suffering on the job that can impact their mental health.
Wellness programs like this could also help reduce use-of-force incidents, according to Jones. Officers who are involved in a shooting on duty are currently required to meet with police psychologists, but a proactive approach to mental health and wellness could prevent such incidents from happening in the first place.
Measuring the effectiveness of the Officer Wellness Unit may be difficult, as McFadden acknowledges. But he believes that the success of the program will be visible on the faces of the men and women of the department. By providing officers with the tools and resources they need to manage the emotional toll of their work, the department hopes to create a healthier and more resilient workforce.
The need for programs like the Officer Wellness Unit is urgent, as the stresses of policing can take a significant toll on officers' mental health. By creating a safe space for officers to talk about their experiences and providing them with the support they need, the department is taking an important step toward creating a healthier and more effective police force. As McFadden said, "We want to make sure that the men and women who work for this department are healthy, both physically and mentally." To read more on this visit The Stockton Record.