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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolicy 181 – Mental Health and ResiliencyOSHKOSH POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE TITLE: Mental Health & Resiliency POLICY SERIES: 181 Effective Date: August 3, 2019 Date Issued: August 3, 2019 Chief of Police: Dean M. Smith (Signature on File) Date Signed: July 19, 2019 CALEA Standard: NA WILEAG Standard: NA Statutory References: N/A Final Review Date: July 17, 2019 Review By: Command Staff / PSD Lieutenant Rescinds Policy Dated: New Policy SECTION DESCRIPTION 181.01 Purpose 181.02 Policy 181.03 Definitions 181.04 Procedures 181.05 Resources 181.01 PURPOSE The purpose of this document is to establish a policy that is proactive in helping educate and provide resources to our employees and their families in various areas 1 relating to Mental Health and Resiliency. Areas of focus are to include but not limited to: Emotional and Physical Well -Being, Financial Literacy, Relationship Management with spouses, children, companions, and partners, Suicide Awareness Education, Health and Nutrition, Substance Abuse, and Injury Reduction. 181.02 POLICY The Oshkosh Police Department recognizes that the job of a Police Officer is stressful, demanding, and dangerous and requires our employees to find healthy coping mechanisms and stress relievers to maintain their overall mental and physical health. The lifestyle and culture of law enforcement affects more than just the officers; spouses, partners, children, and companions of police officers play an important role in the officer's overall health and wellness. Furthermore, the Oshkosh Police Department recognizes that stressors that effect police officers can also effect civilian staff and their families. The Department will assist our employees in proactively dealing with these stressors through education and programs specifically targeting physical, mental and emotional health. 181.03 DEFINITIONS Emotional Well Being - Positive mental health allows people to realize their full potential, cope with the stresses of life, work productively, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. Financial Literacy - is the possession of skills in the areas of budgeting, saving, and debt management that allow people to make sound decisions with their money. Mental Health - includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental Health Professional - A licensed professional, departmentally authorized social or mental health caseworker, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Mental Health & Wellness Week - An event coordinated annually by members of the Oshkosh Police Department Mental Health & Wellness Committee. This week will offer officers, non -sworn staff and families of the Oshkosh Police Department support, education, training and awareness in mental health and resiliency. 2 Mental Health and Wellness Committee - A group comprised of Oshkosh Police Department employees that coordinates the Mental Health and Wellness Week and 5K each year. This group is on a volunteer basis and includes sworn and non -sworn personnel. Physical Wellbeing - is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. Resilience - is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — examples are: family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means "bouncing back" from difficult experiences. Wellness Coordinator(s) - An individual(s) appointed by the Chief of Police to act as a coordinator(s) to help plan, strategize, and implement programs to benefit this policy. The Wellness Coordinator(s) will also oversee the OPD Mental Health Committee. 181.04 PROCEDURES A. Professional Mental Health Services 1. EAP is available to all employees of this agency and their families as allowed by insurance coverage or agency policy. Use of these services shall be treated in the same manner as any other work -related or non -work related illness or disability. 2. Employees must remember that conversations with coworkers are not subject to exemptions of privileged communications as defined by Wisconsin State Statute, Chapter 905 (privilege generally applicable to physicians, clergy, mental health professionals, attorneys, etc) . 3. The services of mental health professionals may be invoked by employee self -referral, referral by a supervisor or peer counselor through the agency chief executive or by policy following life -threatening, traumatic experiences. 3 4. Supervisory personnel are responsible for continuously monitoring personnel performance and behavior and shall be alert to behavioral indicators that suggest emotional problems. These include, but are not limited to: a. Uncharacteristic or sustained citizen complaints, b. Abrupt changes in prescribed officer response or behavior such as excessive tardiness, absenteeism, abnormal impatience, irritability or aggressiveness, or repeated instances of overreaction or failure to act in the line of duty; c. Irrational or bizarre thoughts or actions, d. Unexplained changes in work habits or patterns of leave usage; e. Erratic mood swings; and f. Indications of alcohol or drug abuse. 5. Supervisory personnel who observe or receive information regarding the above types of behavior shall consult with the employee for an explanation and, where necessary, may confer with peer counselors or mental health professionals for guidance. 6. Where circumstances indicate, the supervisory officer shall suggest a voluntary self -referral to the Mental Health Professionals. Where emotional impairment/dysfunction is suspected, either prior to or following these consultations, supervisory personnel shall refer to Policy 122 Employee Assistance Program. 7. This policy does not exempt the employee from being held accountable for criminal law, policy, rules of conduct, or employee handbook violations. B. Resilience 1. Training 4 a. Newly hired sworn staff will receive a 2 hour block of instruction in EAP/Peer Support and the Oshkosh Police Department's Mental Health and Resiliency initiative during the officer's administrative week. New civilian employees will also receive this training as part of their first week. Training will be conducted by the training sergeant and/or the wellness coordinator(s) for the department. b. Sworn staff shall receive annual training on mental health, emotional well-being and resiliency. c. Sworn staff will be encouraged to attend workshops and trainings to better recognize employee patterns and become more pro -active in addressing mental health resiliency. 2. Maintaining Resiliency a. The Oshkosh Police Department shall coordinate the "OPD Mental Health Awareness Week" annually when possible. This event is planned and coordinated by the Mental Health Awareness Committee. b. The Oshkosh Police Department shall host the "OPD Law Enforcement Mental Health Awareness 5K" when possible. This event is planned and coordinated by the Mental Health Awareness Committee. c. The Oshkosh Police Department shall update and monitor the private Facebook page, email groups, and any other correspondence to include and inform family members on events and educational programs related to the initiative. C. Financial Literacy 1. When possible, employees should receive annual training on financial literacy and estate planning. 2. Officers shall be provided educational information on the importance of filling out LODD packet correctly and shall be provided with information on federal and state benefits on an annual basis. LODD packet and 5 beneficiary information should be updated any time there is a significant life event- divorce, etc. D. Physical Well Being 1. Training a. Nutrition Education shall be offered to employees annually b. Voluntary exercise programs may be offered when available through various outlets. 181.05 RESOURCES A. Winnebago Area Peer Support- Refer to Policy 159 B. EAP-Refer to Policy 122 C. Oshkosh Police Mentor Program -Refer to Policy 178 D. Police Chaplain Program- Refer to Policy 124 E. Critical Incident Stress- Refer to Policy 159 F. Line of Duty Death or Serious Injury — Refer to Policy 163 G. Access to the assigned departmental Mental Health Professionals H. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) -national hotline/text line for more anonymity, access to local NAMI chapter for further resources. I. CopLine (800-267-5463). J. C.O.P.S.- local and national chapters K. Wills for Heroes -estate planning 6