November 7, 2018
Law enforcement has had a difficult time in recent years. According to preliminary 2018 statistics released in August, law enforcement fatalities had already risen by more than 10% over 2017, with firearms-related deaths up by more than 32%. In addition, mental health problems continue to be a problem in the industry. In 2017, 140 police officers committed suicide and 129 were killed in the line of duty.
Law enforcement as a discipline has a willingness to increase officer safety and health, as well as a duty to do so. According to the 2018 State of Policy in Law Enforcement survey, 80 percent of law enforcement departments in the United States have a greater need for preparation. The US Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) VALOR Officer Safety and Wellbeing Training and Technical Assistance Program, for example, is working to meet this need by providing robust, up-to-date, and dynamic training with the overall aim of enhancing officer health and wellness.