The Brief: Charting a Course for Evidence-Based Officer Wellness Centers

The Brief

Police Chief Magazine|Columns|The Brief|The Brief: Charting a Course for Evidence-Based Officer Wellness Centers

The Brief: Charting a Course for Evidence-Based Officer Wellness Centers

What We Know and What We Don't Know

Eric Dlugolenski, PhD, Assistant Professor, Central Connecticut State University; Joseph Cortez, EdD, Professor, University of Southern California, Lieutenant, Los Angeles Police Department, California; Christopher R. Bagby, Lieutenant, Bakersfield Police Department, California; Gabrielle O’Keefe, Research Public Health Analyst, RTI International; and James Williams, Lieutenant, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Tennessee

In the 21st century, there has been a significant shift in how the police profession perceives and values its most crucial asset—its peacekeepers.

While this newfound commitment to the comprehensive welfare of policing personnel is undoubtedly a reason for celebration, the emergence of wellness centers dedicated to supporting officers’ mental and physical well-being presents an exciting avenue for exploration and research.