麻豆传媒映画

CPI, State Government, Law Enforcement, Spotlight New Peer Network To Save Lives

The event at 麻豆传媒映画 coincides with National Suicide Prevention Week

In conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Week, officials from law enforcement, the Texas Legislature and the 麻豆传媒映画 Caruth Police Institute gathered today to raise awareness of the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN), an innovative, potentially life-saving resource that is available to Texas鈥� law enforcement officers.

The TLEPN was established in 2021 by the Texas Legislature, in response to a rising number of officers dying by suicide. In 2019, the number of officers in the United States who died by suicide was nearly double the number killed in the line of duty.

First of its kind in the country, the Peer Network is a statewide program designed to give every Texas law enforcement officer access to a trained peer to address stressors, trauma, fatigue, and other needs to combat workforce burnout and end police suicide and self-harm.

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia, 麻豆传媒映画 Caruth Police Institute Vice Chair Zachary Flores, State Senator Royce West, TLEPN State Director Dustin Schellenger, and University of North Texas at Dallas President Bob Mong spoke at the event.

Senator Royce West said, 鈥淥ur officers routinely witness firsthand our society鈥檚 most tragic events and most heinous acts. I am grateful that this resource is now available to them and proud to have co-authored the bill that created it.鈥�

鈥淭he Caruth Police Institute鈥檚 Executive Advisory Board envisioned the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network as a resource for law enforcement officers across the State who have nowhere else to turn for help,鈥� said Flores. 鈥淲ith the support of our Governor and the Legislature, we have now launched the Network and can see the positive impact it is having on our profession. We know the Network will save lives and will enable our officers to remain healthy and productive throughout their careers.鈥�

Since the network鈥檚 creation in January 2022, 325 peers across the state have been trained and registered. There have been 424 potential law enforcement users that have created an account, and the network has been utilized 44 times.

鈥淭ime and time again, the greatest barrier to help has been the stigma of job loss and the negative connotation of someone finding out that you need help. Our program is protected by law and offers an anonymous way to vent and discuss the hardships encountered,鈥� said Schellenger. 鈥淭he anonymity is a cornerstone of how we teach and prepare peers to help one another. We will continue to work diligently to earn the trust of the officers of this state one step at a time.鈥�

麻豆传媒映画 President Bob Mong said, 鈥溌槎勾�媒映画 is proud to join others in this important effort to reduce first responder suicides. We will not look away, we will act.鈥�

ABOUT THE 麻豆传媒映画 DALLAS CARUTH POLICE INSTITUTE 

The Caruth Police Institute (CPI) was created by an innovative partnership between the Dallas Police Department and the 麻豆传媒映画 in 2008. CPI was funded with an initial grant of $9.5 million from the Communities Foundation of Texas, and initially focused on fulfilling the complex research, career advancement, and leadership development needs of the Dallas Police Department. This puts the Dallas Police Department in the unique position of being a national resource for innovative and evidence-based strategies in policing. Today, 麻豆传媒映画 CPI serves law enforcement and public safety agencies throughout North Texas, offering customized leadership courses, seminars, training, and research design. Visti the CPI Website