ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q1-2024

Continued from "The Resilient Hero", on page 9

For all the changemakers whose work is published, there are many others out there working quietly in the shadows. In March 2020, Dr. Eric Murray , then commandant of the Connecticut State Police (CSP) training academy, collaborated with the Yale Uni versity Stress Center. Their partnership piloted the integration of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practices into the CSP recruit training program. MBSR was intentionally chosen because its efficacy with respect to stress management is supported by decades of peer-reviewed scientific studies. Select academy instructors completed the eight-week MBSR program led by certified mindfulness instructor Anne Dutton, LCSW, MBSR. The trained CSP instructors incorporated the practices of attention training into each block of the follow ing core academy subjects: leadership, health and wellness, and safety and survival. By diffusing mindfulness practices through these core subjects spanning the 28-week program, recruits were provided the opportunity to develop proactive habits supporting mental wellness across curricular content, in both structured and unstructured settings. Although the results of the attention training initiative in this case study are anecdotal, it is worth noting the academy class had the lowest attrition rates in decades despite having been con ducted during the height of the COVID pandemic. Informal inquiry resulted in very positive feedback from the class participants whereas members reported the mindfulness training helped them focus during high-stress events including physical confrontation, firearms qualification, and preparation for exams. With its important benefits, Mindfulness is finding its way into more wellness programs. In a recent conversation with the authors, Chief Ryan Columbus (NA Session 255) of the Tewksbury Police Department described their commitment to improving of ficer recovery and resilience. The department allows officers to work out on duty, is cur rently looking to implement rest periods for the overnight shift and has created a room exclusively for meditation and yoga. Officers also have the opportunity to earn wellness days when they opt to participate in mental health check-ins. This has been a popular offering – 93 percent of TPD’s officers who completed a workplace survey remarked that they have or will seek a mental health check-in. Among the more innovative components, the police depart ment sent six officers to participate in a grant-funded officer wellness pilot program at Strongwater Farm. As part of the “Caring for the Caregiver Equine Program for First Responders” program, hands-on experiences with horses allowed the officers to engage in mindful self-reflection, practice self-awareness, and relieve compassion fatigue and burnout from chronic workplace stress. As a result of these ongoing efforts, Chief Columbus re marked, “I have seen an increase in people being open about issues they need help with, which is vital in this field.” Initiatives like those in Dallas, Meriden, and Tewksbury are making a difference. CONCLUSIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS By developing officer resiliency through deliberate mind training practices, officers will be less susceptible to the negative impact of post-traumatic stress and increase the likelihood of

Under the habitual effects of a narrow window, many law enforcement officers unknowingly suffer from a shallow lung breathing pattern that makes them more susceptible to chronic physical and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Dr. Kevin Gilmartin describes this ”biological rollercoaster” in his timeless book “Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement” 11 . Looking further into the interconnected realm of physical wellness, persistent adrenaline surges brought on by chronic stress can damage blood vessels and arteries, increasing blood pressure and raising the risk for a heart attack or stroke. Elevated cortisol levels contribute to the buildup of fat tissue around major organs, and to weight gain. The key to better stress management is to bring the nervous system back into balance and practice recovery between stressful events. Although there are many approaches to mental wellness, mindfulness seems to be a particularly effective tool. OF ROOTS AND RESILIENCE Mindfulness is a 2,500-year-old contemplative practice rooted in Buddhism. It is one of many types of contemplative practices related to meditation. The core practice of mindfulness involves sitting in stillness and training the mind to intentionally focus on an anchor (usually the breath) in the present moment, without judgment. Since 1975 when Dr. Herbert Benson did his ground-breaking research on the physiological effects of practices such as breath ing control and meditation, we’ve understood that such practices reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels because of the mind-body connection 12 . More recent research underscores the role of mindfulness-based practices in developing key aspects of emotional intelligence. As the core elements of emotional intelligence are strengthened, so is resilience. Resilience is the key to expanding our range of stress tolerance and shortening the recovery time after a stressful event. Stress has been shown to be a central mediating process in police officer behavioral problems such as alcoholism, substance abuse, and suicide 13 . The main impediments to stress interven tions are stigma, concerns with confidentiality, and lack of trust in department administrators 13 . Therefore, evidence-based interven tions that put the officer in a central role of managing and effect ing their own treatment would seem to be an ideal solution. MBIs meet both of those criteria, and a number of departments have incorporated them within innovative holistic wellness programs with some success 14 . IMPLEMENTATION OF MINDFULNESS TRAINING The role of leaders and those of influence is critical to suc cessful and lasting implementation of new initiatives. A case study of best practices provided details for ten comprehensive and innovative wellness programs that may serve as models for other agencies to follow. Many of those included mindfulness-based practices in their offerings. The Dallas Police Department, for example, partnered with the Center for Brain Health in Dallas to create the Power of Mindfulness for First Responders program 14 . They based the program on existing research and tailored it to meet the unique needs of law enforcement professionals 15 . Data gathered over seven sessions of the course showed a reduction in mind wandering, alcohol use, negative mood, and organizational stress 14 .

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28 FBINAA.ORG | Q1 2024