Santa Ana City Council Meeting National Coffee with a Cop
As an industry , we have tried to think of new and innovative ways to combat the ever-increasing number of suicides by police officers . Employee wellness programs have been implemented by agencies and departments across the country . These programs have diverse goals such as increased morale , improved recruitment and retention of employees , reduced absenteeism , and building camaraderie among coworkers .
The Santa Ana Police Department , under the direction of Chief David Valentin , began research on the use of a therapeutic canine . At the time the research began , there were no full-time therapeutic canines in Orange County . We eventually found a model utilized by the Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Department ( Captain Coby Webb ), which implemented a black Labrador Retriever ( Arthur ) at their Coroner ’ s Office . Arthur lives at the 24 hour-a-day facility and does not have an assigned handler . Since his implementation , employees have reported an increase in morale , reduction of sick time usage , and even a postponed retirement . Arthur was such a success , they recently added a second therapeutic canine ( Dally ) at their Dispatch Communications Center .
The Santa Ana Police Department has since acquired a black Labrador Retriever by the name of Shadow . She lives within the confines of our four-story police administration building , which includes her own designated office for sleeping and eating . During the day , she typically spends time in the Detective Bureau or Communications Division . However , she has been known to make appearances in roll call briefings , the Watch Commander ’ s office , City Council meetings and the Chief ’ s Office .
Shadow ’ s primary function is employee wellness ,
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