SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Leaders at the Santa Maria Police Department are focused on building a lifestyle for their entire team, hoping to ensure their department is physically, mentally and financially stable. But to achieve this goal, they start by addressing one key component: mental health.
Santa Maria Police Department Chief of Police Mark Schneider and Sergeant Felix Diaz told Your News Channel how the department is prioritizing the mental health of its officers with additional programs and resources.
Diaz and Schneider said officers experience traumatic events on a daily basis, often multiple times a day. Officers are typically the first to arrive on the scene and can witness anything from fatal car crashes to mass shootings.
For SMPD, the first step after a traumatic event is a mandatory “debriefing,” where everyone involved in the incident, from dispatchers to officers, meets in a group to discuss their feelings.
If an officer feels they need additional resources, they will be referred to the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). Mental health providers, counselors and therapists are available to help officers get further support. Programs are also available for spouses and children of officers. Medical professionals are trained to better understand the needs of officers, specifically the work they do and the incidents they may encounter on a daily basis.
SMPD is doing its best to provide additional mental health resources for its officers. The department has created “peer support” and new mental health wellness programs to better serve its officers.
SMPD created Peer Support after a subordinate committed suicide. The incident shocked many of the team members, who decided to check in with them regularly. Peer Support is staffed with volunteer members, from managers to police officers, who check in regularly. This resource is more casual, allowing team members to ask how subordinates are doing or if they’d like to take a moment to talk about something that’s bothering them. Volunteers can do this once a day or as needed. “You can always tell when a subordinate isn’t doing well,” Sgt. Diaz said, noting that sometimes an initial conversation with a subordinate is what leads them to contact a therapist.
The department continues its efforts to prioritize mental health with a new wellness program, which was launched nearly a year ago to build team and family bonds within the department. The department plans to organize wellness events, such as physical activities and family barbecues, to foster a supportive environment.
Chief Schneider said it is important to include spouses and children in wellness programs. He said SMPD believes in creating a family-like environment where people understand and support each other. Sergeant Diaz said they will continue to further educate themselves and their officers on mental health practices to improve the well-being of their team and show them value and appreciation. In the future, they also plan to increase resources for officers, offering different classes and financial advice to help them manage their finances. Sergeant Diaz said he wants to ensure officers have access to care while on patrol and at home with their families. He said the less stress officers have, the more they can contribute to the community.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 by text or calling 988.
