PALS - Peers as Law Enforcement Support (Tallahassee)

Law enforcement officers are exposed to stressors and traumatic events throughout their careers leading to the development of behavioral and psychological problems. Peer Support Training is a response to managing employee stress and promoting well-being. Peer Support Teams are an effective resource for reducing stigma surrounding mental health concerns and creating an environment for police officers to go to one another for support. Trained peer members are considered a “first line of defense.”

Peers as Law Enforcement Support (PALS) is a 16-hour training program conducted in two eight-hour blocks. This training will cover the topics active listening, stress, depression, substance use, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicide, and resiliency. It also includes scenario-based training exercises role-play scenarios. It is important to note, not all candidates who attend the course will be selected to be a Peer Support Team Member. However, the course will provide excellent active skills, mental health knowledge, and be reflected in your training file.