Dear Representatives Gillen and Rutherford,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 8776, the “Officer Wellness and Peer Support Act.”
The tremendous mental stress our nation’s law enforcement officers endure as a consequence of their service and the negative impact the job has on their physical, emotional, and mental health has gone unrecognized too often. Law enforcement and other public safety officers face a 25.6 times higher risk of developing acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions—which can lead to suicide—than those in other professions. Some statistics suggest that a law enforcement officer will experience more traumatic events in six months than the average person will experience in a lifetime.
These officers need help. Yet, no matter what encouragement they receive, the stigma that too often surrounds seeking out that help remains one of the greatest barriers preventing officers from accessing the care and services they need and deserve. Your legislation directs the U.S. Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive study and produce a report identifying effective strategies and best practices to reduce that stigma, expand access to confidential peer support programs, and improve overall mental health resources for the men and women who protect our communities.
The FOP has long prioritized officer wellness. We know that peer support programs, led by active or retired officers who understand the job, are among the most effective tools for breaking down barriers and saving lives. This bill will provide the data and recommendations necessary to strengthen these efforts and
demonstrate what works and where additional resources are needed. We believe the bill represents a meaningful, practical step toward ensuring our nation’s law enforcement officers remain healthy, resilient, and able to serve with honor for years to come.
On behalf of the more than 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on this legislation and look forward to working with you to advance this bill. If I can be of any help or provide additional information in support of this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes