1

NATIONAL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

MEMORANDUM

DATE: October 19th, 2020

TO: Jose Tellez, Chief of Police

FROM: Officer Gabriel Gonzales

SUBJECT: Mindfulness & Resiliency Training Program

Introduction:

The department must always remain mindful of the inherent dangers of being a

law enforcement officer. Some of these dangers are easily identifiable and preventable,

such as assaults on officers, automobile crashes, and death by gunfire. Some of the

dangers are not so recognizable, such as cortisol build-up in the body, resulting from

experiencing stressful events. These unseen stressors go undetected, affecting officers' on

duty and off duty efficiency over a period of time.

"Operational stressors include suspect encounters, exposure to violence and death,

the pressure to perform efficiently, and potentially life-threatening situations.

Organizational stressors include department politics, impending litigation, irregular

shifts, perceived miscarriages of justice, and lack of opportunity from promotion."1 Due

to police officer organizations' stoic nature, officers are less likely to seek help or be

mindful of their internal struggles.2 Often, officers struggle to cope with stress and use

1
Bergman, A.L., Christopher, M.S. & Bowen, S. Changes in Facets of Mindfulness Predict Stress and
Anger Outcomes for Police Officers. Mindfulness 7, 851–858 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-
0522-z Pg. 851.
2
Tejada, J. (2017, November 03). Mindful leadership. Retrieved from
https://www.policefoundation.org/mindful-leadership/
 2

ineffective strategies such as substance abuse.3 The identification of internal health

concerns can play an essential role in improving an officer's quality of life throughout

their tenure and beyond into retirement.

The purpose of this memorandum is to support the development of a team to

manage a mindfulness program. I suggest this program incorporate a mindfulness training

regime as part of the department's field training program and as part of our bi-yearly

perishable skills training. I recommend the Stress Continuum Model (attached) be

utilized in an attempt to bring awareness to one's wellness. Lastly, I suggest meditation

applications be downloaded onto department Personal Data Assistant's to promote the

practice of mindfulness. This program's goal would be to improve officers' physical

health, increase life expectancy, and improve performance in and out of the workplace.

Supporting Facts:

In 2019, 236 law enforcement officers died by suicide, disturbingly more than all

other law enforcement duty-related deaths combined. Police officer suicide has

dramatically increased from 147 in 2016. So far, in 2020, we have had 18 law

enforcement officers die by automobile accidents, 38 by gunfire, and 136 to suicide.45

Officers are more prone to attempt suicide than the general population.6 Law enforcement

officers are more likely to die from their service weapon than to be killed on the street by

3
Bergman, A.L., Christopher, M.S. & Bowen, S. Changes in Facets of Mindfulness Predict Stress and
Anger Outcomes for Police Officers. Mindfulness 7, 851–858 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-
0522-z Pg. 851
4
Honoring the Service of Police Officers Who Died by Suicide. (2020, October 16). Retrieved October 20,
2020, from https://bluehelp.org/
5
The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2020, from
https://www.odmp.org/statistics
6
Yeoman, B., Huber, B., Edgette, J., & Bertin, M. (2020, June 05). Mindful Policing: The Future of
Force. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.mindful.org/mindful-policing-the-future-of-force/
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someone else's weapon.7 Suicide is now the leading cause of death by law enforcement

officers, current and retired.

There are considerations other than suicide, which are equally troubling.

Continuous exposure to stressful events can cause high cortisol to build up.8 Cortisol is

the body's primary stress hormone that works with the brain to control mood, motivation,

and fear.9 Health risks associated with cortisol build-up are anxiety, cardiovascular

disease, depression, addiction, and obesity, which police officers are four times more

likely to suffer from.10

Studies have shown that an officer's life expectancy is 22 years shorter than their

civilian counterparts.11 This study suggests that stress, trauma, obesity, odd hours, and

exposure to hazardous chemicals might collectively contribute to early deaths.12

COVID-19 is the newest challenge to the stress load of officers who are already at

extreme health-related risks. This year 124 officers have died from COVID19.13 Due to

the health risks listed previously, officers may be more susceptible to death by illnesses

like COVID19.

Stress and anger are correlated with each other. Studies show that increased stress

can lead to problems during police contacts, such as uncontrolled anger toward

7
Tejada, J. (2017, November 03). Mindful leadership. Retrieved from
https://www.policefoundation.org/mindful-leadership/
8
Yeoman, B., Huber, B., Edgette, J., & Bertin, M. (2020, June 05). Mindful Policing: The Future of
Force. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.mindful.org/mindful-policing-the-future-of-force/
9
Cortisol: What It Does & How To Regulate Cortisol Levels. (2018, December 22). Retrieved
October 20, 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-cortisol
10
Tejada, J. (2017, November 03). Mindful leadership. Retrieved from
https://www.policefoundation.org/mindful-leadership/
11
Yeoman, B., Huber, B., Edgette, J., & Bertin, M. (2020, June 05). Mindful Policing: The Future of
Force. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.mindful.org/mindful-policing-the-future-of-force/
12
Yeoman, B., Huber, B., Edgette, J., & Bertin, M. (2020, June 05). Mindful Policing: The Future of
Force. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.mindful.org/mindful-policing-the-future-of-force/
13
The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2020, from
https://www.odmp.org/statistics
 4

suspects.14 Effectively addressing this concern is of vital importance not only for the

officer's physical and mental health but also for society at large, given that impaired

officers can negatively impact the public.15

Defining Mindfulness and Resiliency:

Mindfulness is being aware of one's presence, being aware of one's thoughts and

emotions that result from experiences we move through. Resiliency is defined as the

ability to recover quickly from the trauma that we experience in the profession.16

This is not a skill that is typically considered in survival training within the arena of

officer safety, such as defensive tactics, firearms training, and driving. It also does not

generate the same sort of excitement from officers.17

Through wellness training, we can improve police interactions with the public,

especially during hostile incidents. Being present in thought will allow officers to

perform with as much precision as possible in moments of stress.18

Proposal:

The department's current mindfulness related programs are limited to our

department's Peer Support Team and Mentoring Program. However, these services are

typically post-incident related. The department's best approach to proactive behavioral

14
Yeoman, B., Huber, B., Edgette, J., & Bertin, M. (2020, June 05). Mindful Policing: The Future of
Force. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.mindful.org/mindful-policing-the-future-of-force/
15
Bergman, A.L., Christopher, M.S. & Bowen, S. Changes in Facets of Mindfulness Predict Stress and
Anger Outcomes for Police Officers. Mindfulness 7, 851–858 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-
0522-z
16
Fritsvold, E., PhD. (2020). Presentation 6.1: Mindfulness in Modern Policing. LEPS 500 – Contemporary
Issues in Law Enforcement and Public Safety. University of San Diego
17
Fritsvold, E., PhD. (2020). Presentation 6.1: Mindfulness in Modern Policing. LEPS 500 – Contemporary
Issues in Law Enforcement and Public Safety. University of San Diego
18
Fritsvold, E., PhD. (2020). Presentation 6.1: Mindfulness in Modern Policing. LEPS 500 – Contemporary
Issues in Law Enforcement and Public Safety. University of San Diego
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health and wellness is the Counseling Team International (TCTI). But mindfulness

training is not the focal point of TCTI, and our officers are not required to participate.

An alternative source for education is the Mindful Badge Training Institute. This

program's primary focus is on introducing mindfulness to policing as an intervention to

enhance individual, organizational, and community resiliency.19 I would recommend

sending some of the department's influential leaders or mid-level managers to Resilience

Immersion Training, a three-day training in mindfulness skills and practices. I would

recommend a representative of the department be certified as a Peer Resilience Coach.20

This would provide the opportunity to conduct in-house training, similarly to how we

conduct yearly firearms training. A responsibility of this coach is to teach officers to

utilize meditation applications and evaluate officers' wellness based on the Stress

Continuum Model. Lastly, I recommend all new officers attend a mindfulness training

session at the conclusion of their field training program.

Conclusion:

The statistics show we are underestimating an influential factor in the

deterioration of law enforcement health and safety. Police reform has failed to address

fundamental problems that are directly linked to the performance of their officers.

Awareness of this problem could be a starting point for integrating mindfulness training

into our practices. Given the personal sacrifices our officers make, we owe it to them to

help them lead healthier, happier, more fruitful lives.21

Respectfully,

19
Partners & Friends. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2020, from
https://www.mindfulbadge.com/collaborative
20
Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.mindfulbadge.com/tpc
21
Tejada, J. (2017, November 03). Mindful leadership. Retrieved from
https://www.policefoundation.org/mindful-leadership/
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Gabriel Gonzales, Police Officer

Stress Continuum Model