ALEXANDRIA, Ky. — When officers protect the well-being of others, it can come at the expense of their own, but a new effort aims to improve their mental health and create safer communities.

What You Need To Know

  • Lucas Cooper, Alexandria police chief, was at the forefront of establishing the Northern Kentucky Law Enforcement Peer Support Team

  • The peer support team will consist of officers trained in peer support, critical incident response and crisis intervention

  • Officers will speak with their peers about post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and other issues affecting them

  • Cooper said he’s hopeful this support group will go a long way in making officers feel comfortable seeking treatment

Lucas Cooper, Alexandria police chief and member of the Northern Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, was at the forefront of establishing the Northern Kentucky Law Enforcement Peer Support Team.

Cooper said when he saw an officer step away from police work just short of receiving retirement benefits because of years of built-up trauma, he became inspired to try to ensure that never happens again.

“We’re comfortable realizing now that mental and emotional health is just as important to being an effective police officer as physical health is, and it’s not always the intense dramatic incidents that officers go through,” Cooper said. “It’s the fact that this is a job that requires you to be in a constant state of hypervigilance, that’s constantly got some level of stress at play.”

“That can severely impact your ability to do your job and maybe not only keep yourself safe but also the people that you’re serving safe.”

The peer support team will consist of officers trained in peer support, critical incident response and crisis intervention. Officers will speak with their peers about post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and other issues affecting them.

“Work through some of their issues, give them a listening ear and then maybe refer them to additional resources or treatments if that seems to be needed,” Cooper said.

According to a Walden University study, police officers report higher rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, more police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty and most law enforcement officers do not seek care for mental health issues. 

Cooper said he’s hopeful this support group will go a long way in making officers feel comfortable seeking treatment, ultimately benefiting the communities they protect.

The Northern Kentucky Police Chiefs Association is raising funds for the support group. Donations can be made to the Northern Kentucky Police Chiefs Foundation. To learn more, email nkypcf@gmail.com

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