Building Statewide Resilience: Successes and Strategic Recommendations for Wellness in Law Enforcement

Monday, October 21, 2024

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET

Location: 253B

Submitter and Speaker(s)

Darrell Aulston

Captain, Wellness Director
Colorado State Patrol
Golden, Colorado, United States
Zachary Gerdes

Psychologist
Washington State Patrol
Olympia, Washington, United States

Speaker(s)

Joshua B. Downing, n/a

Lieutenant Colonel
Colorado State Patrol
Lakewood, Colorado, United States
John Batiste

Chief
Washington State Patrol
Olympia, Washington, United States
SB

Shannon Bendiksen

Assistant Chief
Washington State Patrol
Olympia, Washington, United States

This session highlights the pioneering efforts of the Colorado State Patrol and Washington State Patrol in creating and implementing comprehensive statewide wellness programs. With a focus on mental health, resiliency, physical fitness, and overall wellness, participants will learn how each agency successfully developed strategies that foster a culture of holistic wellbeing for their officers and civil service employees. By combining innovative approaches to mental health, peer support, resilience training, and physical health initiatives, these programs have set a new standard for law enforcement wellness. Attendees will gain insights into the practical steps taken to launch and sustain these programs, challenges faced, and measurable impacts on both individual officers/employees and agency culture. Join us to explore how law enforcement agencies can build a stronger, healthier, and more resilient workforce.