The career, lifestyle, and culture of law enforcement affects more than just the officers. Spouses, partners, parents, children, and companions of law enforcement officers play integral roles in an officer’s health and wellness and have unique needs of their own.

When the needs of officers’ families are met and respected, officers’ safety, wellness, and ability to conduct the job improves, leading to healthier and safer communities. Using virtual engagement strategies is an easy, cost-effective approach to building family wellness programs.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police, with support from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, is currently working with law enforcement agencies through the Law Enforcement Family Support Group Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) project to connect spouses, children, and parents of officers. This TTA includes the adoption of digital engagement platforms and private social media groups, which can serve a variety of purposes for effective family programming:

• Educational groups can feature resources, programming, and information on topics related to the challenges the family members of those in the policing profession may face. Group members are encouraged to engage in dialogue and propose topics they are interested in learning more about, such as sleep, meal planning, and parenting as an officer.
• Social groups help maintain valuable connections with those who have shared experiences, which can help build resiliency and well-being. Social groups should be monitored, and posting expectations should be in place.
• Administrative groups are meant to supplement in-person programming. These groups provide a platform to share important announcements, advertise upcoming events, and gather information from members.
• Hybrid groups, which apply components from all three group formats, are easily shaped to best meet the needs of agency families.

The Westminster, Massachusetts, Police Department; Taunton, Massachusetts, Police Department; and Victoria, Texas, Police Department are currently using social media groups to supplement their long-term family wellness program goals. These agencies are sharing valuable resources with group members and creating a space that encourages dialogue focused on resilience and well-being.

Social media platforms, when leveraged with free, online tools, can build the framework for positive officer and family engagement that will encourage families to thrive.

• Chat apps make communication among family support groups easy. The leadership team or family steering committee can use this tool to collaborate and plan events instead of creating lengthy email chains.
• Survey platforms and polls offer a convenient way to collect availability and feedback from officers and their families. Last year, the Chula Vista, California, Police Department polled their officers on what they’re looking for most in family and peer support programs for the agency.
• Free, online graphic design tools make it easy to build a brand for agencies’ family engagement programs by creating a polished and appealing look on handouts. The Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Police Department (BGPD) is promoting its new online group by disseminating a flyer to officers and their family members. BGPD hopes to create a space of gratitude and positivity for family members and friends waiting for officers to come home safely at the end of each shift.
• Newsletter templates provide a way to share upcoming events, tips, accolades, and a sense of community among group members. Launching a family newsletter can easily begin with an introductory message. The Colorado Springs, Colorado, Police Department introduced its new family initiative with a letter from team leadership on the importance of family resilience and the goals for the program.
• QR code generators make content easily accessible. These codes can be placed on flyers, websites, posters, and handouts. The Raleigh, North Carolina, Police Department promoted its Families Behind the Badge support group by sharing a QR code with family members outside of the academy graduation. The code connected family members with the newsletter sign-up link.

Take the first step to connect families in your agency by leveraging online tools and social media groups. Elevate your family programming by shaping these valuable virtual connections to meet the needs of children, parents, friends, and spouses of officers.

For more information on family and officer wellness, please visit theIACP.org/OSW.