Probation Department Peer Support Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

In 2008, San Diego County Probation Department staff raised the issue of a need for peer support within the department. These officers felt that a Peer Support program, modeled after programs existing in other law enforcement agencies, would serve two primary purposes: it would put a support system in place for officers and their families in the event of an officer-involved shooting, and it would enable the department to offer crisis intervention services to all staff, which could ease their stress and increase their productivity and well-being. The officers that were selected for this program were nominated by their peers and interviewed by the department to ensure that they would be able to perform the duties for which they would be volunteering. Those candidates that were selected were trained to employ active listening skills, to avoid solving or taking on others’ problems, and instead to assess those problems and refer the individual to professional resources (such as counseling or treatment) when and if they deemed it appropriate to do so. These contacts are strictly confidential and are not reported to the chain of command or discussed in specific terms with other peer supports unless the individual expresses concerns regarding a danger to him/herself and others, abuse, illegal drug use, felonies, or where the individual requests that the shared information be divulged. One of the program’s central tenets is to keep people on the job. The department believes that by offering this early form of intervention, they are more easily able to keep their staff emotionally healthy, happy, and working. The greatest results of the program are profoundly demonstrated by the intrinsic benefits it provides. The program has helped facilitate the building of bonds within the department and staff members have begun to realize that their peers genuinely care about their well-being.