Officer Safety and Wellness

Officer Safety and Wellness

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Explore the collection of IACP resources that support the safety, health, and wellness of every officer, and use these resources when developing comprehensive officer safety and wellness strategies. Learn about building resilience, injury prevention, peer support programs, physical fitness, proper nutrition, stress, mindfulness, suicide prevention, and more.

IACP Officer Safety and Wellness Conference

 OSW Logo

The 2024 OSW Conference will be taking place March 1-3 in Louisville, Kentucky. Visit the OSW Conference event page for the latest updates.

Building Resiliency in Officers and Leaders

Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention

Officers experience job-related stressors ranging from interpersonal conflicts to traumatic events. This cumulative exposure may affect officers’ mental and physical health, contributing to problems such as post-traumatic stress symptoms, substance misuse, depression, and suicidal ideation. One officer suicide is one too many.

Browse through available resources and tools to raise awareness of and prevent officer suicide.

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out.

Tools and Resources

  • National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide: Visit this page for resources created by multidisciplinary experts with a common goal of preventing officer suicide. Convened by the IACP, the Consortium focuses on solutions to emerging challenges and successes in addressing mental health and preventing officer suicide. 
  • Suicide Resource Webpage: The IACP and the National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide continue their commitment to reducing officer suicide deaths. This page provides information, resources, and contacts to help agencies with suicide prevention and provide support after a suicide death or attempt. If you need resources or information on preventing law enforcement suicide, supporting officer mental health, or responding after an officer suicide death occurs. 
  • The Signs Within: Suicide Prevention Education and Awareness

Policy Papers

(Note: access to most Model Policies is limited to IACP members only) 

For more information, please contact osw@theiacp.org.

Family Wellness

Law enforcement officers are routinely exposed to stressful, demanding incidents that challenge them both physically and mentally. While an officer’s individual health and wellness is important, the lifestyle and culture of policing has effects far beyond the officer themselves. Spouses, partners, parents, children, and companions of law enforcement are an essential support system for their loved one when they return home after every shift. These families and friends also need support to respond to the unique challenges they and their officer face on and off the job. 

Tools and Resources

Videos and Virtual Events

Policy Papers

(Note: access to most Model Policies is limited to IACP members only)

Current IACP Initiatives

For more information, please contact osw@theiacp.org.

Officer Mental Health

Prioritizing officer mental health is essential for the well-being of officers and their colleagues, agencies, and communities. The IACP has developed resources promoting an environment that encourages law enforcement personnel to seek help, supporting officers in feeling and performing their best.

Tools and Resources: Guidance for Officers

Tools and Resources: Guidance for Agency Leaders

Videos and Virtual Events

Policy Papers

(Note: access to most Model Policies is limited to IACP members only)

Officer Safety

It is essential for police officers to be prepared with the knowledge and tools to protect and serve their communities to the best of their abilities. The IACP offers the following resources and considerations regarding officer safety in the field.

Tools and Resources

Videos and Virtual Events

Policy Papers

(Note: access to most Model Policies is limited to IACP members only) 

 

Physical Wellness

Officers can enhance their physical health through diet, exercise, and adequate sleep. Maintaining good physical health can reduce officers’ risk of developing hypertension, heart disease, cancer, degenerative joint diseases, and diabetes. Those who maintain a healthy weight, or an active lifestyle, can reduce their risk and severity of injury. The resources below will be helpful for an agency seeking to build out their physical health and nutrition education programs.

Tools and Resources

Nutrition
Sleep
Physical Wellness
Medical Care

Videos and Virtual Events

Policy Papers

(Note: access to most Model Policies is limited to IACP members only)

For more information, please contact osw@theiacp.org.

IACP Officer Safety and Wellness Section

Join the IACP Officer Safety and Wellness Section. Members of the section will have access to the expertise of safety and wellness professionals from around the world, as well as exclusive content produced by the section. Members will also be able to join the Officer Safety and Wellness IACPengage online community where fellow section members share best practices, engage in collective problem-solving, and network.

Learn more about the section and membership opportunities here.

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