Police stress, PTSD, suicide, and general wellness are all topics of concern for police leaders, officers, their families, and our community leaders. Although police agencies have not always been proactive in addressing wellness and safety, it remains a tremendous problem, particularly in an era where police are scrutinized, filmed, and recorded for every citizen interaction. Much of the reporting is biased and incorrect. There is merit in mandatory health and wellness programming. There is merit in allowing and encouraging officers to seek mental health help without fear of losing their jobs. We must protect the more than 750,000 police officers in our country and ensure their long-term health and wellness is maintained. The question is how to do this? What is the best way to ensure health and wellness? Would an after-action style review be more effective it if were employed after shifts that are particularly traumatic? Would it be helpful if officers were afforded the opportunity to have a post-shift de-stressing session to vent about their experiences and concerns? Provide a response to these questions that is supported by relevant literature and/or the textbook.
