Author: The Internatioal Association of Chiefs of Police; Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Implementing Peer Support Services in Small and Rural Law Enforcement Agencies

Publication Date: February 2023

Peer support can be an important part of an officer wellness strategy. Employees may feel more comfortable initially seeking support from a peer who understands the context and has experienced the same stressors. This guide, Planning and Implementing Peer Support Services in Small and Rural Law Enforcement Agencies, provides a roadmap for small and rural law enforcement agencies implementing or enhancing peer support services. It highlights promising practices and provides brief case studies of peer support programs in three small or rural agencies. Topics include establishing trust and buy-in; identifying, training, and supporting team members and leaders; confidentiality; local and regional partnerships; and evaluation metrics.

Topic(s):

Officer Safety and Wellness