The U.S. Department of Justice should enhance and further promote its multi-faceted officer safety and wellness initiative.

Department
Number
6.1
Related Pillar
Pillar 6: Officer Wellness and Safety

6.1 The U.S. Department of Justice should enhance and further promote its multi-faceted officer safety and wellness initiative.

SPPD Response

Not applicable for local law enforcement.

Reference Data

Not Applicable

Task Status: Not Applicable

6.1.1 Congress should establish and fund a national “Blue Alert” warning system.

SPPD Response

Not applicable for local law enforcement.

Reference Data

Not Applicable

Task Status: Not Applicable

6.1.2 The U.S. Department of Justice, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, should establish a task force to study mental health issues unique to officers and recommend tailored treatments.

SPPD Response

Not applicable for local law enforcement.

Reference Data

Not Applicable

Task Status: Not Applicable

6.1.3 The Federal Government should support the continuing research into the efficacy of an annual mental health check for officers, as well as fitness, resilience, and nutrition.

SPPD Response

Not applicable for local law enforcement.

Reference Data

Not Applicable

Task Status: Not Applicable

6.1.4 Pension plans should recognize fitness for duty examinations as definitive evidence of valid duty or non-duty related disability.

SPPD Response

Not applicable for local law enforcement.

Reference Data

Not Applicable

Task Status: Not Applicable

6.1.5 Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) should be provided to survivors of officers killed while working, regardless of whether the officer used safety equipment (seatbelt or anti-ballistic vest) or if officer death was the result of suicide attributed to a current diagnosis of duty-related mental illness, including but not limited to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

SPPD Response

Not applicable for local law enforcement.

Reference Data

Not Applicable

Task Status: Not Applicable

6.1 The U.S. Department of Justice should enhance and further promote its multi-faceted officer safety and wellness initiative.

SPPD Note

As highlighted in the 21st Century Policing Report, the wellness and safety of law enforcement officers is critical not only to the officers, their colleagues, and their agencies, but also to public safety. Accordingly, the Saint Paul Police Department believes that legislative leaders should prioritize resources to support officer health and wellness to enable officers to better respond to needs, challenges and crises in the field.

Reference Data

Not Applicable

Task Status: Not Applicable

Last Edited: March 20, 2017