The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | January 2024
Continued from previous page Summary My mantra in the wake of law enforcement suicide is always the same . From working and supporting individuals who have attempted suicide and lived they have shared their truths . Suicidal people often experience life as suffering so when they are in crisis , ending their life is the solution to ending their suffering . There is no place for judgment , stigma or shame when we lose a loved one to suicide .
Beyond surviving suicide includes the never-ending questions , the “ Why ’ s ” and What Ifs …” Let ’ s replace that with how he lived , how he served , and how he loved . Then let ’ s try to stop the next one .
New Youth Program Strengthens Community Relationships with Law Enforcement
By Timothy Woody , Youth Community Navigator , Office of Resilience , NJ Department of Children and Families
The NJ Department of Children and Families ’ ( DCF ) Office of Resilience has partnered with eight South Jersey police departments to pilot a Police-Youth Initiative ( PYI ) aimed at building positive and trusted relationships between law enforcement and community .
The pilot , which launched in July 2023 , is an innovative initiative that brings together partners from different sectors of society to address the needs of their community — together . The goal of this partnership is to support new projects and expand existing programs and services that foster meaningful connections among children , youth , and families and members of the law enforcement community .
DCF ’ s Office of Resilience provided technical assistance to the eight participating police departments during the planning process . Each law enforcement agency created a one-year plan that would develop youth and community engagement programs and services . Officers from some of the police departments admitted that although it was their “ dream ” to implement these types of community outreach programs , it had not been made possible until the opportunity for partnership with the DCF Office of Resilience presented itself .
Since the pilots ’ launch , there has been great feedback ! Officers have noted how much they enjoy participating in more activities with the community . For instance , Willingboro Police Department officials shared that “ this initiative has resulted in better knowledge of the police by families , and better knowledge of the community by our officers .”
Officials from the Pemberton Police Department stated , “ Officers are asking for giveaways — such as water bottles , stick badges , and stress relief balls — they come in from patrol and say the park looks a little busy , I was looking to hand out some giveaways and shoot hoops with the youth .”
Hearing this feedback validated that this initiative was making inroads and facilitating important connections in high -risk communities .
In another agency , Penns Grove Police Department , officials shared that they had not sponsored any community engagement activities prior to the partnership with the Office of Resilience , but thanks to this initiative , there ’ s much greater interaction between the officers and community members . Officers are now seen waving to kids and family members they have come to know well . Parents are learning to trust officers , report community concerns and change some previously held beliefs about law enforcement .
Thanks to the engagement of the eight South Jersey police departments , and support from the staff of the Office of Resilience , a renewed sense of hope , responsibility , support , and connectedness has evolved that will help build resilience for these communities — children , youth , and families — for generations to come .
The mission of the Office of Resilience ( OOR ) is to be an incubator and advocate for community-developed solutions , grounded in positive and adverse childhood experiences ’ ( PACEs ) science , that helps and creates a healingcentered ecosystem in which all New Jersey residents can thrive . The OOR works at the local and state levels to raise awareness about PACEs , provide education about trauma-informed care , and facilitate collaborative partnerships to promote community resilience .
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