The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) in Washington, D.C., has announced the opening of the application process for the 2025 National Officer Safety and Wellness Awards as part of its Destination Zero program. This year, NLEOMF is placing a special emphasis on traffic safety nominations following a concerning rise in traffic-related officer fatalities.

According to the 2024 End-of-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report, traffic-related fatalities increased by 48% in 2024, with 46 officers killed, compared to 31 deaths in 2023. Additionally, “struck-by” fatalities — incidents where officers were struck outside of their patrol vehicles — rose by 113%, jumping from eight deaths in 2023 to 17 in 2024.

NLEOMF is seeking information on innovative officer safety or wellness programs that are currently implemented for the physical and/or mental well-being of their officers. Over the years, the database of submitted safety and wellness programs has grown into a robust collection of ideas, innovations and solutions for agency leaders to use to build and improve on their own officer safety and wellness programs. Those agencies with outstanding programs that have proven to be beneficial will be acknowledged and personally presented with an award in a ceremony during National Police Week in Washington, D.C.

Each year, the NLEOMF and its distinguished Selection Committee choose the best and most innovative programs in each category to receive the prestigious National Officer Safety and Wellness Award. The Destination Zero Program database of ideas and programs has grown over the years and expanded the Officer Wellness award category into two separate categories: General Wellness and Comprehensive Wellness. Other categories include General Officer Safety, Officer Traffic Safety and Comprehensive Safety.

Created in 2014, Destination Zero, an initiative of the NLEOMF, was designed to help agencies improve the health and safety of law enforcement officers across the country. The goal is twofold: not only to recognize the most effective programs, but to share that information with others so that they may look at the potential benefits to their respective agency and drive the number of line-of-duty law enforcement deaths down to zero.

Those agencies interested in nominating their best practice officer safety and wellness programs for consideration can apply at tinyurl.com/yy2nhht2. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit NLEOMF.org, email destinationzero@nleomf.org or call (202) 737-3400. Applications will be accepted until April 1.

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Nominate Your Program

Destination Zero is searching for the programs that can benefit all law enforcement officers across the country. We are seeking full details on such programs, including copies of posters, policies, toolkits and any data that shows their success.

1. To nominate your agency’s program, fill out the web form at tinyurl.com/yy2nhht2. 
2. After your initial nomination is submitted there, you will be contacted by our program manager to receive your Destination Zero Toolkit and guidance on the nomination process.

Don’t delay! The nomination period is open until April 1.

Questions? Email destinationzero@nleomf.org or call (202) 737-3400.