Police department adds wellness room to help officers after traumatic incidents
By Jacquelyn Quinones
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GREENFIELD, California (KSBW) — The Greenfield Police Department is participating in a UC San Diego wellness program designed to support the mental and physical health of law enforcement officers.
“Our role in life and in our professional roles is very stressful. We see the worst in people, but we also see the best of people. But we carry that DNA, we know what’s cumulative, we know it adds up, we know there is a higher suicide rate for officers,” said Greenfield Police Chief Guillermo Mixer.
The program has provided the department with resources to create a dedicated wellness and weight room for officers and staff.
Mixer explained the goal of the initiative, saying, “Because we know that when our officers are well, mental and physically fit, they can better serve our communities.”
Officer Maria Martinez, who has worked for the Greenfield Police Department for five years, shared how prioritizing self-care has made a significant difference in her daily life.
“What I like to do to take care of myself mentally, physically is working out. I like to utilize the wellness room to decompress after traumatic incidents or just dealing with the public. It can be a lot,” Martinez said.
She added, “Using the massage chair, your body can decompress, we can go out to the public and better assist individuals.”
Martinez also noted that the department is giving officers one hour of wellness time during their shifts.
“It will help us just leave everything behind at work and not take it to our loved ones at home,” she said.
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