The Albuquerque Police Department is prioritizing mental health for its law enforcement officers.
KOB 4 reported recently that the issue is a personal one for Police Chief Harold Medina.
“It has to be something that’s viewed as important from the very top,” Medina told KOB 4. “I’ve been very open to our officers to the fact that every six months I sit down with somebody for my mental health.”
Medina is hopeful that by emphasizing the importance of mental health, officers will take a break instead of resigning.
“I think we got to make sure we take the, you know, the stigmatism of mental health away and make sure that everybody knows that it’s proper and it’s a good thing to talk to somebody and get help,” he said.
The Bosque Farms Police Department is also dedicated to making mental health a priority.
“That promotes the fact that they want to stay in an area where they feel that they’re not just a servant to the community, but they’re a part of the community because they’re being cared for just as much as they’re caring for our citizens,” Bosque Farms Police Chief Andrew Owen told KOB 4.
Bosque Farms PD works together with the Public Safety Psychology Group, a mental health service offering care to first responders and their families.
