go-91.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Wellness Program CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on file Proudly Policing Since 1826 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 91 02/26/2025 06/18/2025 5 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES FTEP 6, Recruit Officer Responsibilities General Order 46, Rules of Conduct General Order 54, Stress Management General Order 63, Officer Actions Resulting in Death or Serious Injury General Order 73, Chaplain Program General Order 74, Line of Duty Death or Serious Injury General Order 90, Peer Support ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CALEA Chapter 22 KEY WORD INDEX Behavioral Wellness Program Procedure I Critical Incident Response Coordination Procedure III Physical Fitness Wellness Program Procedure IV Wellness Coordinator Procedure II Physical Fitness Wellness Coordinator Procedure V POLICY The Department recognizes that our members are our most valuable assets, therefore the agency will prioritize their physical health, and mental, spiritual, and financial wellness. The Department will maintain a wellness program that provides access to initiatives and resources for employees and their family members, enhances holistic health and wellness, and prepares and supports agency members to handle the stress inherent to the profession.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEFINITIONS Critical Incident: An unusual occurrence, whether accidental, natural, or intentionally caused, which results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the public or substantial damage to or loss of property. Examples include, but are not limited to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, civil disturbances, active threats (active shooter), explosions, major fires, and aircraft or train accidents. Critical Incident Response Coordination: A coordinated effort, led by the Wellness Coordinator (or designee), to initiate immediate and ongoing peer support, following an agency member’s exposure to a critical incident. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing: A closed confidential discussion of a critical incident with those directly involved prior to, during and/or after a stressful event. This is coordinated and led by the Wellness Coordinator (or designee) and the discussion is intended to provide support, education and an outlet for views and feelings associated with the event. Debriefings are neither counseling nor an operational critique of the incident. Debriefing may be offered as soon as practical following an incident so long as the debriefing does not interfere with any criminal or internal affairs investigation relevant to the incident. First Responder Peer (Peer): A person who is not a licensed mental health clinician. Has experience working as or with a first responder regarding any physical or emotional conditions or issues associated with the first responder's employment, has been designated by the first responder's employing agency to provide peer support as provided in FS 111.09 and has received training for this purpose. Peer Support: The provision of physical, moral, or emotional support to a first responder by a first responder peer for the purpose of addressing physical or emotional conditions or other issues associated with being a first responder. Peer Support Team: A group of Department members with specialized training who lend support to Department members experiencing trauma and/or stress in their personal and/or professional lives. PROCEDURES I. BEHAVIORAL WELLNESS PROGRAM A. Program Goals 1. Prioritize a wellness infrastructure and implement programming that is available and encouraged throughout the agency. GENERAL ORDER 91 PAGE 2 of 5 WELLNESS PROGRAM JUNE 18, 2025\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2. Educate members on the importance of lifestyle behaviors including mental health, physical health, spirituality, and financial prosperity. 3. Continue to enhance workplace policies and environments that reinforce positive lifestyle behaviors. 4. Connecting members’ families and support systems to education and resources to adapt and thrive given the unique stressors of being a first responder family. B. Confidentiality The participation, acceptance, and success of the Behavioral Wellness Program will be determined, in part, by the trust of the members. Confidentiality will be maintained in accordance with state and federal laws. Legal limitations to confidentiality include, but are not limited to, the report of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; the exploitation of vulnerable adults; allegations of sexual misconduct; or danger to self or others. II. BEHAVIORAL WELLNESS COORDINATOR The Behavioral Wellness Program will function under the direction of a coordinator who is responsible for identifying, developing, and maintaining internal and external initiatives and resources of the program. The coordinator reports to the Director of Employee Resources and should collaborate with department members and professional external partners to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, including but not limited to: A. Identifying, developing, and maintaining internal and external initiatives and resources that enhance holistic wellness. B. Providing access to mental and behavioral health resources and education to all members and their families. C. Advising Command Staff and department leaders on department member support after a Critical Incident. D. Serving as Team Facilitator for the Peer Support Program to provide clinical oversight, logistics, and information on utilization. E. Conducting Stress Management appointments with recruit officers to provide support and education. F. Monitoring annual stress counseling for completion and maintain culturally competent providers. GENERAL ORDER 91 PAGE 3 of 5 WELLNESS PROGRAM JUNE 18, 2025\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT G. Facilitating the delivery of wellness information, training, and support through educational workshops, family member education, in-service training, Check-On attendance, and other supervisory training. III. CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE COORDINATION A Critical Incident Response Coordination is conducted to mitigate stress and traumatic impact to involved members. A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing may occur if deemed appropriate under the Peer Support Team protocols. If conducted, every effort shall be made to accommodate the debrief as soon as practical taking into consideration involved members and agency needs. Stress debriefings shall be conducted with the following guidance: A. The Stress Debriefing is not part of any investigative process, notes and recordings shall not be taken. Care should be taken not to release or repeat any communication made during a debrief unless otherwise authorized by policy, law, or a valid court order. B. Attendance at the debriefing should only include first responder peer support members and those directly involved in the incident. IV. PHYSICAL FITNESS WELLNESS PROGRAM The Department recognizes the importance of physical wellness and strives to ensure every member has access to resources to maintain and/or enhance their physical wellness. The Department will: A. Ensure the safety and cleanliness of the gym and other exercise equipment provided by the department. B. Encourage members to exercise and utilize the exercise on-duty standard, when possible, in accordance with General Order 46. C. Make physical wellness information and education available to members, (e.g., nutrition, sleep habits, proper exercise, injury prevention, educational videos). D. Provide physical training for Police Officer Trainees while attending the academy to enhance familiarity and build confidence with their physical fitness abilities. E. Assist the Training Unit with coordination of the pre-employment and annual Physical Abilities Test (PAT) as required by the collective bargaining agreement. GENERAL ORDER 91 PAGE 4 of 5 WELLNESS PROGRAM JUNE 18, 2025\n\n--- Pa