Balitmore City (MD) Police Department | 2024 Comprehensive Wellness Winner Video

Balitmore City (MD) Police Department | 2024 Comprehensive Wellness Winner Video

Baltimore City (MD) Police Department (2024)

State: MD

Video Resource

The Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) is the 8th largest municipal police force in the United States, staffed by nearly 3,100 civilian, professional, and sworn personnel. The Baltimore City Police Department has taken proactive steps to address mental and physical wellness among its officers and staff. In response to the alarming rates of suicide within the law enforcement community, the department established the Officer Safety and Wellness (OSW) section in 2018. Led by Director Vernon Herron, a retired Maryland State Police Officer, the OSW is dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle, advocating for mental health check-ups, and providing wellness resources for police officers, civilians, and professional staff members.

The OSW consists of several units, including the Early Intervention Unit (EIU), which focuses on identifying and addressing problematic behavior through personalized improvement plans and resources such as stress reduction techniques, meditation, physical fitness, and nutrition. The Health and Wellness Unit (H&W) takes a proactive approach by providing mental, physical, and financial resources to maintain healthy mental, physical, and emotional health for officers, civilians, and professional staff. Additionally, the Retiree/Employee Affairs Unit (EAU) supports retired members and their families during challenging times, such as the loss of a loved one in the line of duty.

To ensure accessibility, the OSW brings wellness resources directly to the officers, meeting them where they are and providing care packages, wellness fairs, nutritious meals, and various health vendors. This proactive approach not only shows appreciation for the officers’ hard work but also helps them perform better on duty. While the visible efforts of police officers are recognized, the department also focuses on the unseen efforts aimed at driving positive change. Research has shown that mindfulness and meditation practices have led to reduced aggression and lower likelihood of inflicting physical harm among officers, highlighting the importance of such wellness initiatives.

The Officer Safety & Wellness Unit acknowledges that officers are dedicated to saving lives, and it is their responsibility to ensure their well-being. This is why they incorporate therapy dogs into various programs. These dogs are deployed in response to critical incidents to alleviate stress, provide joy, comfort, and affection. They contribute to enhancing human physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functions, assisting police officers and staff in being present. While officers face daily risks and are trained for their duties, BPD understand that they experience emotions like anyone else. This is where our therapy dogs play a crucial role. By calming and empowering our courageous team, these dogs enable them to continue their lifesaving missions.

Health and wellness is integral to every aspect of the Department. To maximize OSW’s impact, they have enlisted the help of the agency-trained peer support team. With over 70 trained members, they act as an extension of the Health and Wellness Unit to offer broader assistance to our members. These committed staff members are on hand to provide support to BPD employees in challenging times. Moreover, the Peer Support Team has also assisted regional police departments that have sought help from BPD.

Overall, the Baltimore City Police Department’s Officer Safety and Wellness program is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by police officers and staff, acknowledging the risks they take daily to uphold the law and keep communities safe. This comprehensive wellness initiative seeks to provide the necessary support for mental and physical well-being, ensuring that officers and their families have access to the resources they need to navigate the demanding nature of law enforcement.