First responders and police officers from across the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area gathered in Baltimore for Peace Officer Wellness, Empathy & Resilience (POWER) training with Beyond Us & Them. Several officers with Baltimore County Police, along with the Maryland Natural Resources Police, Office of United Communications and the US Postal Inspection Service joined forces for the 12-week intensive program.
The immersive in-person sessions took place at the Wellspring of Life Farm, a bucolic animal sanctuary and retreat center located amidst “the rolling fields and winding woods in Baltimore County, Maryland.” Throughout the year, Wellspring offers a variety of programs and services for veterans and first responders and is “dedicated to providing support to those experiencing emotional, cognitive and physical challenges through equine, canine & caprine therapeutic activities.” This volunteer-supported sanctuary provided a perfect setting for this POWER cohort to convene for its in-person training days.
Understanding the health risks for officers
Today, law enforcement officers in the US have an average life expectancy of 59 years, which is 16 years less than the general population. Many of the conditions leading to earlier mortality are stress-induced: heart disease, stroke, diabetes and early-onset dementia. In addition, correctional officers have a 40% higher suicide rate than the rest of the working age population, according to one study.
The POWER curriculum addresses critical topics like burnout, empathy fatigue, moral distress, depersonalization and pathological altruism. Agencies working with POWER find that the program leads to stronger relationships, more positive agency culture and enhanced community relations.
The POWER program is a nationally certified officer training course built on science-based strategies for optimizing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. The program teaches foundational practices for enhancing wellbeing and optimizing performance, while introducing and reinforcing methodologies for working more effectively with stress.
Why the POWER training program works
The team at Beyond Us & Them has spent years gathering anecdotal data from first responder participants in our POWER training program. As we listened to the testimonials, it was clear that change was taking place on a physiological level as a result of this program — participants were getting off of their doctor-prescribed medication for high blood pressure and migraines, they were sleeping better at night and were getting feedback that they were better partners at home.
Recently, we had the opportunity to measure biometric data and correlate it with these anecdotal reports. Peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Community Safety & Well-Being shows scientifically proven benefits of council-based programs for police officers and that “POWER training improves officer autonomic health, mindfulness and social connection.“
Testimonials from the Baltimore Police POWER Training cohort
Members of the Baltimore cohort provided feedback for the Beyond Us & Them team to evaluate. Weekly council huddles consistently rank as the most favored component of the POWER Training program. See below:
- “The ability to express and explore is priceless.”
- “It was great to meet with my group and discuss anger, how to deal with it, how to adjust the control it may have in your life.”
- “I’m starting to respond to situations differently. I’m trying to take a breath before responding in certain situations where I might not have in the past.”
- “The council helped bring the mission and objectives back into focus.”
- “I felt invigorated and enlightened. Slowing things down. Listening first and allowing others to speak first.”
- “The sharing of events, thoughts, feelings, and honesty allows all of us the ability to feel listened to. All of us sense the understanding and empathy that we experience in our group.”
- “[This workshop] provided a sense of closeness and belonging.”
- “It is an unconventional approach that most officers usually would resist but this was delivered really well and was also very well received. I appreciated that the facilitators had respect for the work we do in law enforcement, and they never made me feel like we were that bad guys.”
- “The council circle is always inviting and positive. A great way to stay connected and utilize the POWER skills and tools.”
- “The assignments brought me back into attunment and prepared me for the week ahead.”
- “Catching myself when I start to get annoyed. Why does it start? Can I change the way I react?”
- “Very relevant. Easy to incorporate into ones life.”
- “Looking internally is difficult. We as humans do not want to believe that we stumble into pitfalls like everyone else, but we often do without even realizing it. Having the tools to recognize when you are the one who is acting irrationally can be crucial to resolving disagreements and de-escalating situations.”
- “It was very impactful to connect with each other and recognize the support we had around us.”
- “Practicing these techniques can have an immediate and positive impact.”
- “I have learned to remain calm in all circumstances.”
- “It feels great to have a group that is so uplifting.”
- “It was extremely impactful.”
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