HEALTH & WELLNESS
Wounded cops need our recognition and support
According to the Wounded Officers Initiative (a Florida non-profit group), Law Enforcement Officers in the
U.S. experienced the following tragedies:
• 2013: 51,625 Assaults; 14,857 Assaults with Injury.
• 2012: 55,725 Assaults; 14,884 Assaults with Injury.
• 2011: 57,320 Assaults; 14,832 Assaults with Injury.
More disturbing than these statistics is that there are
none reported for 2014 or 2015, and Google searches
CHERIE
CASTELLANO led me to practically nothing about the important topic
Cop2Cop
of officers wounded in the line of duty. I found several
websites that honored Police K-9s lost in service, but
only one Florida-based group that mentioned the issue
of wounded officers.
Especially now, at a time when so many law enforcement officers
are being attacked and scrutinized across the U.S., why is the issue of
cops being in harm’s way every day not getting any press?
The New Jersey State PBA and Cop 2 Cop have committed to
launching an integrated solution to address this issue in 2015. Over
the next several months, we will partner to create a New Jersey
Wounded Officer Database to both recognize these heroes at the
annual PBA Valor Awards as well as enhance services to wounded officers and their families.
For more than 10 years at Cop 2 Cop – beginning after six officers
were shot or wounded in two weeks in July 2004 related to gang violence in the city of Newark – we have led a Wounded Officer Peer Support Program.
To summarize a decade of effort, we assigned Cop 2 Cop peer
counselors and clinicians, partnered with the NYPD Police Peer
Project (consisting of 200 wounded cops), to learn from their model.
We then began monthly Wounded Officer support groups and
resilience building events that foster healing, offer peer support and
address their challenges that include finding new wheelchairs to educating their families about the impact of their trauma. Some
highlights throughout the evolution of this project include:
•
The passing of legislation entitled “The Blue Heart Wounded Officer Law” to ensure ongoing attention would be offered by Cop 2
Cop.
•
A documentary about Ken Hogan entitled “Call to Valor” by
Donna Roman.
•
Hiring of wounded cops as Cop 2 Cop peer support counselors.
•
Hosting several events to recognize the 90-plus wounded officers
who we have served in our program.
Now we must do more, and we need your help to begin an
authentic statewide database at Cop 2 Cop.
If you know someone who was wounded in the line of duty, or even
think an officer from your department or area is wounded or disabled
and would benefit from being offered recognition or support, please
contact Cop 2 Cop at 866-267-2267 and indicate that you’re calling for
the New Jersey Wounded Officer Project. You can also email us at
[email protected].
Next month, we will also launch a Facebook page for comments
and input about our mission.
Meanwhile, consider that this endeavor is long overdue; that perhaps a wounded or disabled officer is a reminder of the dangers of the
job; or just that you are human and not always invincible.
Whatever your experience has been, I implore you to consider the
“Blue Heart” you all share and help us help wounded and disabled
officers in our state and perhaps one day across the country.
Please don’t hesitate to ask
There’s nothing wrong with cops asking for