ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – The Community Justice Center (CJC) is working on how best to promote and support well-being in officers.

It’s part of the Reimagining Public Safety plans the joint initiative between the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County has been tasked with implementing. A working group comprised of leadership from the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, the Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response, Tompkins County Whole Health, and the Ithaca Police Department is reviewing ideas.

“Our community is best served when officers are at their best,” said CJC Project Director Monalita Smiley. “Our ultimate goal is to develop programs that reduce stress and promote wellness so that our officers can perform their duties with clear minds and high levels of physical wellness.”

The group will issue surveys to local law enforcement personnel and dispatchers on what impacts them in their line of duty and what kind of tools or programs could help. They’re asking the community to share ideas as well.

“We have excellent law enforcement officers in Tompkins County, it’s our goal to offer programs that will help them continue to operate at their best,” said Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne. “I’m excited to see the ideas that come from our working group and the community, and I’m glad that our officers are able to share their experiences directly with the group and the CJC.”

The City of Ithaca and Tompkins County have allocated $75,000 to help implement the plan once survey data is analyzed and a program is agreed upon.

“It’s no secret that we have staffing level issues contributing negatively to the wellness of our IPD officers,” said Ithaca City Chief of Staff Deb Mohlenhoff. “While we work to address staffing issues, I hope we can develop strong and meaningful wellness programs that help officers feel supported and give them the tools they need to be successful.”