Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network

The Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network needs Peers who are willing to stand in the gap between hope and hopelessness for fellow officers.

In 2019, 228 police officers died by suicide in the United States, eclipsing line-of-duty deaths that same year by nearly 60 percent. In 2021, that number increased to 632 law enforcement deaths and nearly 25% of those were self-inflicted. Suicide ranked second among law enforcement deaths that year. Removing COVID-19 deaths, suicides claimed the lives of 49% of United States law enforcement deaths.

The Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN) was established out of Senate Bill 64 (87th Texas Legislature). TLEPN is a state-wide program designed to give Texas law enforcement officers access to resources and end law enforcement suicides. The Caruth Police Institute at the University of North Texas at Dallas, partnered with The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to train active police officers to be peers to help fellow officers address stressors, trauma, fatigue, and other needs to help combat workforce burnout and end police suicide and self-harm. Officers do not need to currently be a peer or part of a peer team.

Cops Helping Cops
TLEPN relies on active peace officers to serve as volunteers. Peers will be trained and mentored to assist fellow officers, across the State, to manage the stressors of life, both on and off duty. Officers will receive the required TCOLE 6400 course and TLEPN orientation training, and peer registration into the TLEPN mobile app. This uniquely designed software application can be confidentially downloaded onto smartphones to allow peers and officers in need with a direct connection to resources.

The app does not collect, store, or track personal information, cookies, or data. Officers utilizing the network will have anonymity and are able to use screen names without their individual data being recorded. Officers will be provided a safe and anonymous environment to share their experiences, needs, and concerns without fear of negative consequences. Anonymity and confidentiality are assured. SB 64 legislation also prohibits any information from being shared and or being used as action against a licensee.

Resilient officers are better prepared and more capable of professionally serving. Help us help officer resiliency better serve the needs of their communities, fellow officers, and families.

Simple to use: download the App, get the access code from MyTCOLE, select a peer from the list, and reach out for help or contact the network by phone at (972)-338-1314 or by email at TLEPN@untdallas.edu

Completely anonymous: The user information is not saved or shared. You do not have to use your contact info when reaching out for help.

Cops helping Cops: The peers available are all volunteers and are trained by TCOLE standards to help when it is needed the most.

If you need immediate help, contact COPLINE.
Copline provides around the clock support to officers in crisis, both online and by phone: 1-800-COPLINE

TLEPN is proud to partner with Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.
MMHPI provided curriculum development and program design for the TLEPN program.