First responder risks

Peace officers, along with other first responders who have sworn their lives to protect their fellow citizens, not only put their physical safety at risk because of the inherent hazards of the job, but also jeopardize their mental and emotional well-being. The statistics indicate that too many law enforcement officers, firefighters and others who serve in these hazardous professions all too often fail to address the toll such work takes on their lives. The long-term effects of repeated trauma accumulate throughout a first responder’s career, increasing the risk of suicide, cardiovascular disease, depression, substance misuse, chronic illness, relationship problems and cognitive decline.

Early intervention and effective treatment can significantly reduce the likelihood of future mental health crises while improving long-term resilience, job performance and overall quality of life for first responders. Recognizing the importance of addressing these challenges early, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA), signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2018, was designed to strengthen the mental health, resilience and overall well-being of law enforcement officers and their families. The legislation acknowledges the unique psychological and emotional demands of policing, including repeated exposure to traumatic incidents, chronic stress and cumulative occupational pressures. It supports the development and expansion of specialized mental health programs, peer support initiatives, counseling services, training and other resources aimed at reducing stigma, increasing access to care and promoting long-term officer wellness.

This article delves into LEMHWA and how it supports law enforcement agencies, analyzes the latest Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) data on wellness programs in the profession and spotlights wellness strategies in action. As an example, we profile one agency’s creation of a wellness center featuring an innovative massage chair that many command staffs across the country have incorporated to improve and enhance the well-being of their rank-and-file personnel.

Key provisions of LEMHWA

Purpose: LEMHWA provides resources and guidance to help law enforcement agencies develop programs that promote mental health awareness, encourage the early identification of mental health concerns and improve access to treatment and support services for officers.

Funding: LEMHWA authorizes funding for the creation and expansion of evidence-based mental health programs, peer support initiatives, counseling services and other wellness resources for law enforcement personnel and their families.

Impact: By increasing access to mental health care and wellness programs, LEMHWA seeks to reduce stress-related injuries, improve resilience, enhance officer wellness and ultimately save lives among the more than 800,000 law enforcement officers serving across the U.S.

The passage of this legislation reflects a growing recognition that supporting the psychological health of law enforcement professionals is essential to maintaining officer readiness, improving public safety and fostering long-term career wellness.

In 2022, BJS researchers analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies, including 80.1% municipal agencies, 18.6% county agencies and 1.3% state-level and Bureau of Indian Affairs agencies. The findings revealed that 62% of agencies do not provide any formal wellness programs for their personnel.

Approximately 23% of agencies offer comprehensive wellness programs, while others focus on specific aspects of officer wellness. About 14% of agencies provide targeted services, such as resilience and coping skills training, mental health support and substance use treatment programs. Only 1% of agencies limit their wellness efforts to fitness and nutrition, suggesting that these services are typically incorporated into broader wellness strategies rather than offered independently.

The study also found that agencies with the most comprehensive wellness programs tend to be larger municipal departments located in the Western, Midwestern or Northeastern U.S. These agencies were also less likely to have experienced recent budget cuts affecting wellness initiatives, highlighting the important role financial resources play in sustaining officer health and wellness programs.

Case study: Broomfield P.D.

The Broomfield Police Department (BPD) in Colorado represents one of the most robust and successful officer wellness programs in the country, reflecting its commitment “to achieving excellence in everything it does. That includes the continued implementation of modern-day policing through new technology, training and enhanced recruitment,” as stated on its website (broomfield.org/296/Police). Enea Hempelmann has served as chief of police for the City and County of Broomfield (serving a population of approximately 80,000) since January 2022. In addition to traditional police services, she oversees the detention center along with other county-related law enforcement responsibilities. Detective Jennifer King-Sullivan of Broomfield’s Investigations Division serves as the wellness officer/coordinator, overseeing the beautifully equipped Officer Wellness Center located in BPD’s main building, plus a substantial well-being program that expands well beyond a single well-appointed room.

The BPD Wellness Center offers comfortable, inviting furniture, beautiful artwork, instruments for making music, a soundproof chamber and other pleasant amenities. However, the heart of the room is the remarkable Infinity massage chair, which offers a range of therapeutic features designed to encourage relaxation and wellness.

This imposing and extraordinary piece of furniture goes far beyond the boundaries of a traditional recliner. It is equipped with an array of built-in devices that provide various massage techniques, including kneading, tapping and rolling, to relieve muscle tension and support relaxation. The chair also offers lumbar heat options to enhance the massage experience and soothe sore muscles, along with zero-gravity positioning that elevates your feet above your heart, relieving pressure on your spine and improving circulation. It can even scan the user’s body to customize the massage experience based on individual body shape and size.

King-Sullivan noted that “everybody uses the Infinity chair,” including herself and Chief Hempelmann. “This is something that is used daily.” In addition, the Broomfield County/City Detention Center has its own wellness room with an Infinity massage chair, which is also regularly used by staff.

Groundbreaking for Broomfield’s new expanded Police Building took place in July, and the department is planning to build a new Wellness Center as well, with additional Infinity massage chairs.

Don’t forget dispatchers

Research indicates that the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among emergency dispatchers is comparable to that of police officers, firefighters and other first responders. Current studies estimate that approximately one in seven emergency dispatchers experiences symptoms consistent with PTSD, highlighting the significant psychological toll associated with this profession. Although dispatchers are not physically present at emergency scenes, they are routinely exposed to traumatic events through the distressing calls they receive, often managing life-threatening situations while providing critical support to both callers and responding personnel. This repeated exposure to trauma, combined with the high-pressure demands of emergency communications, underscores the need for comprehensive mental health resources, early intervention and ongoing wellness programs tailored specifically to the unique challenges faced by emergency dispatchers.

Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, an organization focused on emergency communications, industry expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach initiatives, is among those that specifically endorse the use of the Infinity massage chair for their clients.

A popular choice for public safety

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Seabrook, New Hampshire, Infinity Massage Chairs has established itself as a leader in the wellness industry by emphasizing the potential therapeutic benefits of advanced massage chair technology. The company focuses on promoting recovery, pain management, stress reduction, relaxation and overall quality of life through products designed for both personal and professional wellness environments. Its ongoing partnerships, product innovations and outreach efforts reflect a commitment to expanding access to wellness solutions across a variety of industries, including public safety.

Jason Drinkwater, manager of first responder accounts at Infinity Massage Chairs, provided APB with documentation identifying more than 150 law enforcement agencies and police organizations throughout the U.S. that have incorporated Infinity massage chairs into their officer wellness initiatives. This level of adoption reflects the increasing priority law enforcement agencies are placing on officer health, resilience and recovery, as well as the continued growth of dedicated wellness centers within public safety organizations.

In addition, Drinkwater supplied an extensive list of law enforcement executives, including police chiefs from California to Massachusetts, Florida to Minnesota and numerous states in between, who have expressed strong support for the use of Infinity massage chairs in their departments. According to these endorsements, many agencies regard the chair as a valued component of their comprehensive wellness programs aimed at reducing stress, supporting physical recovery, enhancing resilience and promoting the long-term physical and mental well-being of law enforcement personnel.

One final word: It should be noted that while the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) does not specifically endorse any particular massage chair, it recognizes that “massage chairs are consistent with wellness strategies informed by research on massage therapy.”

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To learn more about police departments that have implemented an Infinity massage chair and to receive special first responder pricing, please contact Jason Drinkwater at (603) 910-5236 or jdrinkwater@infinitymassagechairs.com.

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References

apcointl.org/services/health-wellness

broomfield.org/296/Police

journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/14613557211064050

nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/massage-therapy-for-health

worldmetrics.org/first-responders-mental-health-statistics