Maple Shade PD Recognized for Resiliency Training

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal has taken steps to protect the physical and emotional well-being of New Jersey law enforcement officers by ensuring that they are provided with the tools they need to cope with the unique stressors of their jobs. Addressing a rise in reported police suicides nationwide, Attorney General Grewal issued a law enforcement directive – known as the “Officer Resiliency Directive” – implementing the New Jersey Resiliency Program for Law Enforcement (“NJRP-LE’), a first-in-the-nation statewide program to train officers in resiliency and to become better equipped to handle the daily stress of police work that, when left unchecked, may lead to physical ailments, depression, and burnout. In so doing, New Jersey will become the first state in the country to require that all state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies designate a Resiliency Program Officer (RPO) who will be specifically trained in – and ultimately train their departments in – resiliency. The Maple Shade Police Department served as the pilot program for the State of New Jersey. Under the leadership of Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher J. Fletcher, and with assistance from his team including Detective Brian Martino and Chaplain Greg Ginion, law enforcement officers and command staff from Maple Shade are being trained in the New Jersey Resiliency Program for Law Enforcement. Family members of our law enforcement officers are also provided an opportunity to go through the same training. “My goal from the beginning with this training was to better equip officers to process and cope with the negative effects of trauma that they encounter on a daily basis. In Maple Shade specifically, my vision included caring for and training our family members and Chaplain Corp in an effort to strengthen and educate the support systems around us,” said Chief Christopher J. Fletcher. “I enthusiastically support the expansion of this program throughout the State of New Jersey and am grateful that officer wellness is taking such a priority for Attorney General Grewal and Director Allende. In the end, this program helps to reshape the lens that we use to look at the world around us with an improved attitude and thankful disposition and that is something which is certainly good for everyone involved.” For more information on the NJRP-LE program follow this link https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases19/pr20190806a.html