Editor’s note: How does your agency measure up when it comes to wellness? Lexipol’s Wellness solutions help agencies deliver anonymous, 24/7 support, enhance peer support team readiness, and build a culture of wellness. Contact Lexipol at 844-312-9500 to learn more or request a demo.
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A run of misconduct headlines is more than a reputational problem. The loss of community trust lands on the shoulders of every uninvolved officer who still has to respond, serve and be believed. In this Wellness Brief, Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese underscore that the foundation of law enforcement is community trust.
“Whenever you breach that trust, it’s catastrophic,” Hitchings said.
Hitchings urges proactive trust-building using the “community bank” approach. That means consistently showing up, highlighting good work and maintaining visibility so there’s equity to draw on when a scandal elsewhere tarnishes the badge.
Hitchings also speaks directly to the quiet signs of avoidance that can creep in after trauma or burnout. Slow-rolling calls or hesitating to be first on scene may be a flag to pause and self-assess, leverage agency resources, like peer support or the Lexipol Wellness app, and reset before performance slips further.
Leaders set the tone to move fast on misconduct, communicate early and often with their community, and double down on wellness checks, peer support and coaching for the officers doing it right.
“This job does not work without the trust of the community.”
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About The Brief: Wellness Edition
The Brief: Wellness Edition video series explores the wellness implications of current events for public safety professionals. Each episode brings a timely conversation that connects unfolding events to the day-to-day realities of first responders.
