The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 26, Number 7 | Page 8

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | March 2020
Reciprocal Resiliency: The mutual benefits of police and youth wellness
activities in mitigating trauma and building a positive culture
Kate Tumelty Felice, EdD
It is not surprising to most in law enforcement that the cumulative stress associated with the job, whether from
life-threatening dangers or from daily hassles that add up, effect one’s quality of life and overall longevity. Indeed,
law enforcement officers have higher levels of obesity, heart disease, certain cancers, depression, and suicidality. In
a survey of 180 New Jersey law enforcement officers, 78.3% indicated that they felt the job negatively impacted their
quality of life, and 91.6% indicated that it reduced their lifespan. While disheartening, this information is a facet of
the job about which most officers are all too aware. What may be surprising, however, is how closely these health
outcomes mimic that of the most vulnerable we serve, our children.
The parallels between children who experience adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and are exposed to cumulative
stress and trauma are staggeringly similar to the exposure and outcomes experienced by law enforcement. The
longevity of the lifespan for both is compromised, but so too can be the quality of life experienced. Kids exposed to
ACES also have a higher rate of depression, heart disease and COPD, certain cancers, and suicidality. Michael
McKnight, a specialist for the Department of Education and advocate for mitigating ACES, explains, “Children and
youth who have experienced adverse childhood experiences, high levels of stress or live in adverse community
environments show signs of developmental trauma. Many of these young people carry nervous systems that are in a
constant state of alarm. A youth's brain and body that develops within the context of trauma will be more easily
triggered into their survival brain and can easily over react even when there is no actual threat.”
Law enforcement officers inherently understand this constant state of “fight, flight, or freeze”, and how critical their
interaction with youth can be during precarious circumstances.
Chief Sean McKenna, West Deptford Police
Department, explains the importance of that role, “We, as police officers, pay particular attention to arresting
suspects of crime and become focused on providing services to the victims of these crimes. Many times, children are
consoled by our officers at the time of the traumatic event but after the officers leave, they are back to HQ to work
on reports and off to the next call. The children that are exposed to adverse childhood experiences will always
remember their initial interaction with our officers.”
That interaction can help to mitigate ACES, and provide valuable resources in developing trusted relationships with
secure adults. Says McKnight, “It takes a calm brain to regulate another person's brain state. These young people
benefit greatly from intentional connections with adults. Resiliency research is clear. Our children develop within
environments of relationships. One significant connection over time with our most "at-risk" children literally changes
the direction of their lives. Intentional positive connections with extended family members, police, teachers, coaches,
neighbors can have a positive impact on young peoples’ lives.” Cindy Rogers, a fifth grade teacher at Central School
in Haddonfield, echoes the importance of these interactions for kids. “Kids can't learn if their basic needs aren't met.
Those needs include food, and shelter, but also a connection and security. They need connections with the people
who are important to them. Parents, teachers, even authority figures in the community, like police officers, can
provide support and help children to learn and achieve goals.”
While officers know the positive impact they can have on kids, it is important to realize that those benefits are
reciprocal. They can directly benefit the officers as well, mitigating those same stressors, and contributing to a
shared improvement in life and longevity. According to Chief David Harkins from Gloucester Township Police
Department, “As police officers, we recognize that we may interact with children at a critical moment in that child’s
life. We can make a long term difference by minimizing the exposure to mental trauma during a police
interaction, and by recognizing that our humanizing actions can make a bad situation tolerable. By teaching
our officers how to participate in youth wellness activities, we improve our officers abilities and we generate positive
outcomes with the children that we encounter.”
The same survey that indicated officers’ concerningly high stress levels and often lack of support in mitigating them
indicated an overwhelming desire for positive and healthy change.
Of those surveyed, 87.7% indicated a
willingness to participate in wellness activities, which could include mindfulness/yoga, working out, healthy food
preparation, and mental health support. Further, 80.6% indicated that they would be willing to be part of similar
wellness initiatives with youth in the community. Finally, 91.7% would be interested in an overall holistic wellness
program. John Thompson, retired Chief of Mullica Township, said, “Police officers got into law enforcement because
they like to help people, cops interact with our youth everyday. The satisfaction of knowing that he/she has had a
positive impact on a child often reminds the officer why he/she got involved in law enforcement. Cops didn't get in to
law enforcement because they wanted to be criticized by mainstream media, be unappreciated or second guessed by
others for a split second decision that they were tasked with. Having a positive impact on our children reminds us
why we do what we do.”
The benefits of incorporating wellness initiatives that impact both youth and police reach both in meaningful
ways. Regarding the officers involved in their school, Mark Napoleon, Superintendent of Sterling High School
District, said that their role, “is opposite of a school to prison pipeline. They act as social worker, educator, and
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