BUY THE BOOK

Resources

Organizations: Mental Health

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
    www.afsp.org
    Dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Click on “Find Support” for help.

  • Badge of Life
    www.badgeoflife.org
    Nonprofit organization website run by active and retired law enforcement officers. They produce a quarterly newsletter offering valuable information, advocate for yearly mental health checkups, and offer free training videos.

  • Code-9 Project
    www.code9project.org
    Nonprofit organization that provides education, support, and self-help to all law
    enforcement families to manage stress, reduce and eliminate PTSD, and prevent suicide. They produced an award-winning documentary, Law Enforcement and Post-Traumatic Stress: A Deadly Combination and they sponsor many events and workshops, including S.H.A.R.E., a two-day program for first responders and their families.

  • COPLINE – An Officer’s Lifeline
    www.copline.org
    800-COPLINE / 1-800-267-5463
    Nonprofit organization serving active and retired law enforcement officers and their loved ones, providing confidential services for callers who are dealing with various stressors both on and off the job. Trained and vetted retired officers are available 24/7 to listen and provide culturally appropriate resources.

  • First Responders Support Network
    415-721-9789
    www.frsn.org
    This is NOT the same as the peer support group, Mid-South First Responders Support Network in Memphis, that is mentioned in the text of this book. It is, however, a highly rated program whose goal is to provide first responders and their families with tools to reduce the effects of traumatic incident stress. The key programs are the 6-day residential treatment for first responders, also known as the West Coast Post-trauma Retreat (WCPR), and the 6-day program for significant others and spouses (SOS). The FRSN is a collaboration of first responder peers (including but not limited to police, fire, corrections, dispatch, and emergency medical services), SOS peers, culturally competent mental health clinicians, and chaplains who volunteer their time.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    Nationwide Hotline: 988 (Available 24/7)
    www.988lifeline.org
    Free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for at-risk individuals and loved ones.

  • Safe Call Now
    206-459-3020
    Confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel, and their family members nationwide.

  • Under the Shield, Inc.
    855-889-2348
    www.undertheshield.com
    Nonprofit organization whose mission is to meet the unique needs of law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical service, military personnel and their family members by providing support through confidential services, education, and public awareness. Services are provided in an anonymous and confidential environment by trained current or former first responders, with coaching and training centered around The Simons Theory of the Psychological Garbage Can. Services include Peer Support, Stress Coaching, and Licensed Mental Health.

  • USA National Suicide and Crisis Hotlines
    988 – Emotional support available nationwide (Available 24/7)
    800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
    800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
    www.suicidehotlines.com/national.html
    The website offers crisis support, information, and state-by-state referral resources.

Organizations: Line-of-Duty Deaths

  • Blue H.E.L.P.
    www.bluehelp.org
    It is the mission of Blue H.E.L.P. to reduce mental health stigma through education, advocate for benefits for those suffering from post-traumatic stress, acknowledge the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers lost to suicide, support families after a suicide, and bring awareness to suicide and mental health issues.

  • C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors)
    www.nationalcops.org
    573-346-4911
    A highly regarded national organization dedicated to helping the survivors of line-of-duty police deaths. They offer peer support, legislative advocacy, information about benefits, scholarships for surviving children, summer camps for children, a regular newsletter, and National Police Week Memorial activities. Chapters exist around the country.

  • First Responders Children’s Foundation
    www.1strcf.org
    Provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardship due to tragic circumstances.

  • National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
    www.nleomf.com
    This organization’s mission is to increase public support for law enforcement by commemorating those who have died in the line of duty. Their website provides information about National Police Week and the National Law Enforcement Museum.

  • Officer Down Memorial Page
    www.odmp.org
    Nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring America’s fallen law enforcement officers by preserving their photos, stories, and meaningful memories and reflections of those who love them.

Organizations: Officer and Family Support

  • FOP (Fraternal Order of Police)
    www.fop.net
    The Fraternal Order of Police is the world’s largest organization of sworn police officers and has chapters in most major cities and every U.S. state. They serve as the voice of those who protect and serve and are committed to improving the working conditions and safety of law enforcement officers through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation.

  • FOP Auxiliary (Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary)
    www.fop.net/about-the-fop/fop-auxiliary
    The Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, for families of the Fraternal Order of Police members, has chapters in many states. They advocate for law enforcement and offer programs for family health and safety, assistance and training for critical incidents, networking scholarships, and information regarding legislative issues important to police families.

  • Law Enforcement Family Resources
    www.theiacp.org/icprlawenforcementfamily
    Information and resources for spouses, partners, parents, children, and companions of law enforcement officers are provided by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

  • National Police Wives Association
    www.nationalpolicewivesofficial.org
    NPWA is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement spouses through various outreach programs, providing resources to those new to the law enforcement community, as well as promoting volunteerism and charity within the law enforcement community in general.

Organizations: Advocacy Groups

  • International Association of Women Police (IAWO)
    www.iawp.org
    Publishes a quarterly magazine, Women Police, and represents the interests of policewomen throughout the world, with members in 57 countries.

  • National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO)
    www.nableo.org
    Nonprofit organization representing the needs and concerns of law enforcement personnel of color, addressing those issues which have a direct impact, both adverse and positive, on the employment, promotion, and retention of minority law enforcement officers in every facet of the Criminal Justice system. They have over twenty chapters, primarily in the Northeast United States.

  • Out to Protect
    www.outtoprotect.org
    Nonprofit organization with the mission of increasing awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender professionals working in law enforcement and offering support and guidance to those pursuing a law enforcement career.

Facebook Support Groups for Moms, Parents, and Spouses

  • Moms of Police Officers (MOPO) Facebook Group
    www.facebook.com/groups/1836260753060454
    Group is for mothers of police officers throughout the country. Private group and verification of your role as a police mom is confirmed; tight security is in place to ensure the safety and confidentiality of our officers and their families. This is a positive environment, with no politics, drama, or fundraising allowed. We are Blue Sisters here to support and encourage one another through the challenges and concerns of being the proud mother of an LEO. I am one of the administrators of this group and encourage you to join us.

  • Mothers of Police Officers (fmopo) Facebook Group
    www.facebook.com/groups/1537266249849236
    Mothers of Police Officers who support the police and each other. This is a politically conservative group of moms who pray for all LEOs and each other and share their concerns together. Photo proof of your son/daughter is required to ensure you are a police mom.

  • MPD Moms 2.0 Facebook Group
    www.facebook.com/groups/4086151961420508
    If you happen to have an officer serving on the Memphis Police Department, this is the place for you. Exclusively for mothers of Memphis Police Officers, whether you live local or across the country, we encourage you to join us. We are proud moms who support our officers and each other with strength and encouragement and we allow no politics or drama. We are friends and cheerleaders for one another and our officers. This is the group I founded in 2015 that started me down this path.

  • Parents of Law Officers
    www.facebook.com/groups/916619642097989
    Moms and dads of law enforcement officers throughout the United States will find a network of other parents, useful information, and news about national and local incidents involving our officers. Attention is paid to honoring those officers injured or killed in the line of duty and helping parents cope.

Recommended Reading:

  • Bullets in the Washing Machine
    Littles, Melissa (2011)
    The founder of the popular blog, The Police Wife Life, provides a light-hearted look at the humorous and positive aspects of living life as a law enforcement spouse.

  • Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement, A Guide for Officers and Their Families
    Gilmartin, Kevin M., Ph.D. (2002)
    Order online at www.emotionalsurvival.com
    The premier book for help understanding the emotional well-being and behaviors of police officers throughout their careers. A must-read for every law enforcement officer and family. If you read only one book throughout your officer’s career, let it be this one!

  • His Badge, My Story, Insights for Spouses and Loved Ones of Law Enforcement Officers
    Gustafson, Vicki (2019)
    Based on the author’s three decades as a law enforcement wife, she shares suggestions and guidance to help others become independent, strong, and brave enough to face the worry and fear of a law enforcement family.

  • How Heroes Heal
    Marilyn Wooley (2022)
    True stories of psychologically-injured first responders – and their transformation from wounded warriors to victorious heroes. This book offers a pathway toward recovery and growth, helping first responders get to the other side of trauma, and learning how to function better than before, so that they not only survive but thrive.

  • I Love A Cop: What Police Families Need to Know
    Kirschman, Ellen, Ph.D. (Third Edition 2018)
    This is a valuable resource that cops and their loved ones can rely on for practical advice from a police psychologist and volunteer clinician at the First Responder Support Network. Covers issues pertinent to police wives and other family members, including relationships, trauma, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, home life, and other difficult topics, with no-nonsense guidance to help your family thrive.

  • Increasing Resilience in Police and Emergency Personnel: Strengthening Your Mental Armor
    Stephanie M. Conn (2018)
    Illuminates the psychological, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual impact of police work on police officers, administrators, emergency communicators, and their families. It debunks myths about weakness and offers practical tips for police employees and their families struggling with traumatic stress and burnout.