The Victoria Police Department says it is setting a new standard for mental health and wellness in policing as it has adopted a new digital solution to streamline and bolster peer support within the department.
According to a news release, VicPD relied on an outdated, manual system to track and manage peer support needs before adopting PeerConnect. The app includes features for employees to build a confidential support team where they can choose who they feel comfortable speaking with to ensure a positive and supportive experience.
“At VicPD, we’ve been investing heavily in the mental health and well-being of our staff. With PeerConnect, we know that no one is being left behind or missed anymore; we’re reaching out to everyone," noted Sgt. Joan Elliott, who helped spearhead the roll-out of the app, in a news release.
Introducing the digital solution had its challenges, the release noted, as officers, especially "seasoned veterans," are wary of new technology and protective of their privacy. So, the department made the app mandatory on all department-issued phones–though its use was optional.
"One of the most significant advantages of PeerConnect is its inclusivity. Many civilian employees initially believed peer support was only for sworn officers responding to traumatic events. Elliott used the app roll-out as an opportunity to dispel this myth, highlighting how non-sworn staff could also benefit from peer support, especially those exposed to secondary trauma," noted the release.
Over the past six months, VicPD has observed a growing trend in how employees engage with peer support, with an increasing number of junior officers, recruits, and those in training reaching out through PeerConnect.
