NCJ Number
179047
Journal
Policing Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: 1999 Pages: 304-312
Editor(s)
Lawrence F. Travis III
Date Published
1999
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article reports the findings of an earlier study that was conducted to determine the comprehensiveness of "wellness" programs provided by the 50 State police agencies/departments of public safety for their commissioned law enforcement officers.
Abstract
The study also focused on the attitude of the personnel directors regarding the effectiveness of their wellness programs. A survey questionnaire was sent to each personnel director of the 50 State police agencies/departments of public safety. The survey, with an overall return rate of 98 percent, addressed five components of wellness: physical fitness, stress management, psychological and mental health, nutrition and dietary-related issues, and alcohol and chemical dependency. Although 29 agencies stated they had a wellness program, none offered all five of the aforementioned wellness components. Of the 20 agencies that stated they did not have a wellness program, all provided at least some aspect of one of the five wellness components. The authors advise that all law enforcement agencies that lack a wellness program should investigate the wellness programs of other agencies and adopt aspects of those program that fit their needs. They further suggest that the findings of this survey can be the basis for more in-depth studies of wellness programs of various types of organizations. 1 table, 4 notes, and 14 references