You scream, I scream, we all scream for cops to serve us ice cream.
Yes, you read that right. Police officers in Norwich, Connecticut, are serving ice cream and they are not alone. Many departments use novelty ice cream treats to interact with people in their community, building trust and relationships one scoop at a time.
In this episode of The Brief: Wellness Edition, Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese dip into a discussion of community police initiatives, like coffee with a cop, shop with a cop, and Police Athletic League, that engage children and families and build relationships.
Hitchings describes initiatives like these as a great antidote to compassion fatigue, a condition that many law enforcement officers experience. Though it may seem obvious the best way to counteract compassion fatigue is to deliver compassion satisfaction.
For those facing burnout or compassion fatigue, engaging in joyful, purpose-driven interactions — especially with kids — can be a powerful reminder of why they entered the profession in the first place.
“The only way you can combat compassion fatigue is to show compassion to others who really need it.”
| Warning signs: A checklist of red flags that reveal when community policing is a philosophy and not a daily practice
About The Brief: Wellness Edition
The Brief: Wellness Edition video series explores the wellness implications of current events for public safety professionals. Each episode brings a timely conversation that connects unfolding events to the day-to-day realities of first responders.
