Attention to personal health and wellness is every employee’s responsibility as they remain fit for duty and contribute to a high-functioning workplace.  All police department employees must meet work expectations and seek resolution, intervention, and/or therapeutic treatment for any mental or emotional condition that adversely affects the exercise of their assigned duty. 

Purpose and Function:

The Saint Paul Police Department Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to actively promote the mental and emotional wellbeing of all Saint Paul Police Department employees (sworn and civilian) and their families.  The EAP follows strict confidentiality standards and the services provided are available to all employees and their household family members.

EAP Services include:

•        Private coaching from the EAP Director

•        Counseling sessions with contracted licensed mental health professionals/therapist

•        Critical Incident response

•        Support and/or referral to other resources as appropriate by the EAP Director or Peer Support Team members

Note: EAP does not conduct Fitness for Duty assessments

Location:

The Saint Paul Police EAP is located “off-site” at a location that is intended to be both convenient and private.

EAP Director Duties include:

  • Administrative management of the EAP Unit and assuring quality EAP Services.

  • Intake of distressed employees who voluntarily seek EAP assistance, or those who are mandated to the EAP, to include listening and assessing; with the goal of connecting these employees and family members with the appropriate resources.

  • Monitor the recovery of those who suffer a behavioral health crisis.

  • Outreach and education to promote EAP Services and the ideals of officer wellness.

  • Direction and oversight of the Peer Support Team.

  • Collaborate with other units, public safety agencies, and healthcare providers to advance EAP Services and initiatives.

The EAP Director can be a resource to command and supervisory staff regarding employee problems and concerns.  The EAP is not a substitute for, and works best in conjunction with, informed and effective supervision when managing employee concerns. The EAP Director, designee, or contracted mental health professionals are available 24 hours a day to deal with urgent needs requiring an immediate response. Requests for urgent EAP Services can be made by contacting the EAP Director by phone.

The EAP Director coordinates access to brief therapeutic interventions and counseling sessions with contracted licensed mental health professionals/therapist.  Commons concerns include:

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness

  • Sleep problems

  • Loss and grief

  • Family and relationship conflicts

  • Work stress and frustration

  • Psychological trauma

  • Injury, illness and chronic pain

  • Substance misuse and addictions

  • Financial and legal concerns

The EAP Director, or designee, and a mental health professional meet one-on-one and in private with officers involved in Critical Incidents (See General Order 246.09: Investigations).  Traumatic Events are managed as identified and on a case-by-case basis. 

An employee may be referred to the EAP in one of a number of ways:  self-referral, supervisor-referral, or mandated-referral by a supervisor or command staff.

  • Self-referral: Any employee may seek EAP Services by simply contacting the EAP Director. This EAP contact and all information provided by the employee shall be held in confidence within the strictest of professional standards.

  • Supervisor-referral: An employee may be referred to the EAP by a supervisor who believes the employee is having problems with which the EAP might be of assistance. The employee is under no obligation to contact the EAP based upon this suggestion. Any EAP contact and all information provided to the EAP by the employee shall be held in confidence within the strictest of professional standards.

  • Mandated-referral:  An employee may be formally ordered to the EAP if a supervisor believes there are work-related problems with which the EAP might be of assistance. The mandated-referral process shall include the completion of the SPPD-EAP Referral and Release Form (PM 1001-14) by the referring supervisor and the form authorizes only the communication of attendance information back to the referring supervisor.

   (see above under EAP Director duties)

Direct Services Provided by the EAP:

  • Impartial and confidential consultation to all employees.

  • Individual counseling referrals and group support as needed to all employees.

  • Critical incident stress management for employees who are determined to be involved in Critical Incidents (See General Order 246.09: Investigations).

  • Consultation with other city agencies.

  • Health education and information on EAP resources and programs.

  • Assistance to employees before, during and after military deployments (See General Order 252.10: Military Deployment).

  • Specialized group services for employees.

  • Participation in specialized group activities with outside agencies.

  • Support to employees on sick leave.

  • Peer Support Team.

    Revised September 25 2017

Last Edited: September 25, 2017