The Evolution of 21st-Century Policing and Employee Wellness

On March 13, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and I joined fellow California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations (CCLEA) members for their board meeting and annual legislative reception in Sacramento. CCLEA represents more than 40 law enforcement associations throughout the state of California. The coalition is dedicated to furthering law enforcement techniques and standards, improving peace officer welfare, fostering goodwill among members and ethically ensuring relationships with the public and the law enforcement community.

During the roundtable portion of the board meeting, I was proud to represent PPOA and discuss the various obstacles we are currently encountering. One relative matter discussed among all the union leaders was raising concerns about current and future staffing levels. We all pointed to similar problems, including COVID-19, resignations, the climate for law enforcement and local reform efforts that make recruitment and retention difficult.

Following the meeting, CCLEA hosted a legislative reception for more than 50 senators, assemblymembers and other key state officials. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with many officials representing the Democratic and Republican parties. It was refreshing to see that they took time out of their busy schedules to converse with public safety union leaders and address law enforcement topics affecting our respective departments and communities.

By now, many of you have heard the term 21st-century policing. The term is nothing new. To give some background, on December 18, 2014, President Obama issued an executive order appointing an 11-member task force on 21st-century policing to respond to several serious incidents between law enforcement and the communities they serve and protect. President Obama wanted a quick but thorough response that would begin the process of healing and restore community trust.

In 90 days, the task force facilitated seven hearings with 140 witnesses and reviewed volumes of written testimony submitted online by additional witnesses and the public. The testimony and hearings were organized around the following pillars:

• Building trust and legitimacy
• Policy and oversight
• Technology and social media
• Community policing and crime reduction
• Training and education
• Officer safety and wellness

I will touch on officer safety and wellness. Law enforcement officers face many threats and stresses that directly impact their safety and well-being. The policing profession is unique in many ways, expecting officers to be multi-disciplined and jack-and-jill-of-all-trades during various situations, including volatile, physically dangerous and traumatic events. 

However, the importance of wellness applies to all employees. With the severe vacancies throughout the departments (LASD, LADA, and DMEC), many of you are working 40-plus hours and spending time away from your loved ones. As a mother of three, I know the importance of balancing work and home life, mainly because stressors at work can affect those at home and vice versa. Therefore, wellness has never been more important to overcome cumulative stress and burnout.

One of Sheriff Luna’s priorities is to improve employee wellness. The Department obtained a grant and has created a wellness review panel to identify resources, review significant incidents and promote awareness. In addition, the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) provides free, confidential counseling to all Department employees, their spouses and significant others. All personal counseling sessions between the psychologists and employees are privileged communications (except for admissions of child or elder abuse or danger to self or others). This is the same standard required of all therapists throughout the state. If you need PSB’s services, please call (213) 738-3500.