The Northern Kentucky Chiefs of Police Association has launched a peer support team to provide services to law enforcement officers struggling with the stress and trauma associated with the job of protecting the public.

The Northern Kentucky Law Enforcement Peer Support Team consists of law enforcement officers who are trained in peer support, critical incident response and crisis intervention.

“We recognize that police officers are tasked with dealing with difficult and challenging incidents that can negatively impact their personal well-being,” said Alexandria Police Chief Lucas Cooper, who chairs the chiefs’ association’s Health and Wellness Committee. “The support of a colleague who has experienced similar difficulties can help provide guidance, referrals and connections to resources.”

Officers trained in peer support will work with the team’s medical advisor to provide support and, if necessary, can refer an officer for medical attention.

The peer support team will provide services for:

• Post traumatic incident.
• Sleep problems.
• Addiction to alcohol or drugs.
• Anxiety and depression.
• The hardships of life.
• Feelings of loneliness.
• Other situations and conditions that require peer support.

“The Peer Support Team seeks to create a safe and welcoming environment for police officers to express their struggles and better understand how to resolve them,” Chief Cooper said.

Walden University identified these as five reasons why mental health for police officers must be a priority:

• Police officers report higher rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• More police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty.
• Productivity is negatively affected by poor mental health.
• Most law enforcement officers do not seek care for mental health problems.
• Despite the lack of treatment, mental health challenges are prevalent among those with law enforcement jobs.

The Chiefs Association raises funds for training and other aspects of the overall effort. Donations may be made to the Northern Kentucky Police Chiefs Foundation, 501(c)(3). For more information or to donate, call 859-578-2021 or email [email protected].