Anyone who has worked in law enforcement for even a brief period of time is acutely aware of how stressful the profession can be. Although it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling profession, officers face a variety of stressors that undoubtedly take a toll on their physical and mental well-being, if not their overall quality of life.

Officers’ physical and mental health have far-reaching impacts, many extending beyond the officers to their families, colleagues, and communities. Officers’ mental health can impact an agency’s ability to function, as well, through effects such as sick time use (or abuse), absenteeism, and decreased productivity or community engagement.

Knowing this, many agencies have produced their own mental health–related resources, such as officer well- ness teams and peer support groups. While these are certainly admirable efforts and play a much-needed role, they often have a reactive focus or application. However, the problems agencies face regarding officers’ well-being are substantial, and the profession cannot simply react its way out of this crisis.

While there will always be a need for reactive measures, more focus must be given to prevention when it comes to officers’ well-being. Think of it this way: A modern police department seeks strategies to both effectively respond to and prevent crime. Focusing solely on response will not achieve the results desired by both the agency and the community. Similarly, when it comes to officers’ well-being, an agency that utilizes a combination of response and prevention will ultimately be more successful in safeguarding its most important resource—human capital. As with combating crime, failing to strike a balance between response and prevention will yield suboptimal results.