GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Careers in law enforcement tend to attract men and women who hold certain personality traits and that can be trained to set emotion aside–focusing, acting and responding responsibly during critical situations, oftentimes putting their own safety aside for the sake of others.

While Butte County prides itself on having outstanding officers, they are also aware that to maintain that level of performance, their officers need more at their disposal than just a gun and a badge.

The answer to that? The new Butte County Wellness App for law enforcement.

Gridley-Biggs Police Departments Chief Byers introduced the app to Gridley City Council. He started his presentation stating that “We can lead the industry in lots of negative areas of suicide, divorces, alcoholism and stuff like that. So we did a great job training our cops on how to take care of themselves while doing the job and keep safe there, but we don't do a very good job with available help” after putting officers in dangerous or emotionally straining circumstances. 

Chief Byers shared his own experiences, once responding to a call where a young man took his life right in front of him. The Chief said that after witnessing such a violent death, he was simply expected to carry on as usual and respond to the next call. In the last year, Butte County officers (and first responders) saw and experienced things during and after the Camp Fire that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. Chief expressed that having an app like this would be a hugely beneficial resource for our officers.

The new wellness app developed by Corticoids, aims to provide psychological tools to officers to help them maintain optimum physical and mental health. The app has been on the market for two years now, but has been out of financial reach of most Butte County departments. Recently, Sheriff Honea has secured funding through a private donor for a two year period of use for all law enforcement agencies in Butte County. 

The app is designed to offer 100% confidential, 24/7 support to officers, dealing with topics such as emotional survival, financial fitness, marriage and family counseling, along with self-assessments for officers to determine if they are at risk for alcoholism, compassion fatigue, depression and PTSD. The goal is to help alleviate and provide coping tools for the sometimes traumatic, violent experiences sustained in the field of duty along with the daily-grind our law enforcement officers deal with. Many will not openly admit that they need help – there is an expectation that they are impervious to danger and psychological stressors. The app is hoped to be the emotional backup they need to be successful in life and in the line of duty.