North Wales Police is introducing a new wellbeing scheme to support the physical and mental health of its 2,500 employees.
The newly created welfare support team, consisting of a team leader and three additional officers selected from across the business due to their physical wellbeing and mental health experience, will offer employees advice and practical support on how to maintain and improve their health.
Employees will benefit from receiving counselling sessions and mental health team meetings, as well as having access to articles and videos.
Richard Debicki, deputy chief constable at North Wales Police, said: “I’m delighted that we are launching our new welfare support team which boasts a raft of skills and experience.”
“It is important that we provide appropriate support and welfare for our police officers and staff in order to keep them fit and healthy to ensure they continue to provide an outstanding service to the communities we serve.
“We have a large workforce with many of our staff working full shifts right at the very front line for many years.
“Policing is a challenging role that can take its toll both physically and psychologically. Staff are repeatedly exposed to physical dangers and traumatising incidents which can impact over a period of time; be it our roads policing unit attending deaths on the road, detectives investigating the most abhorrent crimes against extremely vulnerable members of our communities or our front line officers who are the first responders at extremely violent and distressing incidents.
“We are investing in our workforce so that when they are attending to help our communities in their darkest hour, they are both physically and psychologically equipped to provide the best possible service.”