Garner Police Department, Garner NC’s Post

Did you know that in 2022, tragically, over 49,000 lives were lost to suicide? Shockingly, a significant number were individuals aged 25-44, predominantly of Caucasian descent. This includes my father, a retired police sergeant, who, like over 50% of others, used a firearm to end his life. While there are interventions, therapies, and medications that can help prevent suicide, it's time we shift our focus. Let's open up conversations about adverse childhood experiences, the crucial nature of healthy caregiver attachment during infancy, and the traumas that precede joining professions like law enforcement. Do we need to emphasize the importance of discussing well-being, fostering healthy connections with peers, family, and spirituality, or reaching out to 988? Of course! As you share your present struggles, also bravely recount the challenges you have overcome in the past, no matter how many years have elapsed. As a suicide loss survivor, I strongly believe that together, through open dialogue and understanding, we can strive to prevent such heartbreaking losses. Jason M. Palamara and I are grateful to Dianne Bernhard for contributing to our new book, Living Blue. #vicarioustrauma #compassionfatigue #lawenforcementtraining #policechief #police

If you are a leader, are you setting the gold standard? Leadership that ardently champions the mental well-being of its officers sets the gold standard. By fostering an environment steeped in care and understanding, officers are encouraged to share, discuss, and prioritize their emotional health. Providing officers with robust mental health education is transformative. It not only sharpens their awareness of personal challenges but also cultivates a culture where mutual support thrives, creating a resilient and cohesive force. What I appreciated Chief Joe Fox (ret), mentioning in Living Blue, is, “Leaders must openly talk to their officers about mental wellness and proactively provide resources to manage traumatic exposures, even before they occur. Until we can fully acknowledge that we have a growing crisis in our profession, we will never change the culture or eliminate the stigma that exists for seeking help. If we don’t take care of them, no one will.” When Jason M. Palamara and I engaged with law enforcement leaders while writing Living Blue, our central message underscored the vital importance of leaders conveying genuine care and concern for their officers. We advocated for a proactive approach to dismantling the prevailing stigma surrounding mental health within the force. #suicideprevention #lawenforcementtraining #compassionfatigue #vicarioustrauma

Another great article posted by the Director of Second Look Network at The Sentencing Project regarding use of clemency powers to address excessive sentences. The number of older people in State & Federal prisons is increasing faster than any other age group. How could anyone claim that the point of incarceration was to incapacitate the truly dangerous when there are more people older than 55 in US prisons than there are people in high crime range of 18-24? Geriatric healthcare in prison is both disgraceful and expensive. It costs on average, 3x more to incarcerate an older person than a younger one. National survey data according to the Prison Policy Initiative show that most victims support violence prevention, social investment, and alternatives to incarceration that address the root causes of crime, not more investment in carceral systems that cause more harm. Governor Andy Beshear could help alleviate the excessive costs mass incarceration has incurred on Kentucky as a proponent for second chances, and providing additional resources to protect public education and access to affordable healthcare-basic rights to the citizens of the Commonwealth. #SecondLookLaws #KyFreeKarenBrown

Wilmington, NC. November 10, 1898. I grew up in North Carolina and went to school (K-12) and college here. But it wasn't until I was well into adulthood that I learned the significance of this place and date. This was the day that a political coup and massacre of at least 60 Black citizens took place in a city that, after the Civil War ended, had witnessed the rise of a Black middle class that included over 126,000 registered voters, doctors, lawyers, newspaper publishers, educators, and elected government officials. But white citizens and officials, both locally and across the state, who did not approve of this success of Black citizens, plotted for months to overthrow the government, destroy businesses and homes, and murder Black citizens. Why am I sharing this story here and now? Because history is known to repeat itself. And as a white woman, I feel the need to speak up and remind us all that - in the various forms it takes today - holding people back from realizing their own potential and success is wrong. Our country benefits from the richness of our diversity. I hold this belief in my heart and mind when I go to the ballot box for every election, whether local, regional, state, or national. And I think about what COULD have been in my state if this racist attack had been prevented by people who didn't speak up. I encourage everyone reading this to check out the resources I've included below and learn more about Wilmington for yourselves. Learn about and share the history from where you live. Let's be on the right side of history - the side that learns from history, even when it is ugly. https://lnkd.in/e7Yspq3F https://lnkd.in/ee-_mZuD

🦞 Age is Just a Number: Meet the 104-Year-Old 'Lobster Lady' 🚤 Virginia Oliver, Maine's maritime marvel, just renewed her commercial lobster license at 104 years old. Why? Because retirement isn't in her vocabulary! Picture this: A centenarian rising at 3 AM, donning lipstick and earrings, to catch lobsters thrice a week. That's Virginia's life, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Her secret? "You've gotta keep living, you gotta keep working." Virginia's story isn't just about lobsters. It's about passion, purpose, and shattering age stereotypes. As we plan for our futures, perhaps we should ask: What's our equivalent of Virginia's lobster boat? Let's celebrate those who prove that life's adventures don't have an expiration date. #AgelessInspiration #LifelongPurpose #RetirementRedefined Source:

I've been a political consultant for 21 years. I've seen the politics of the hard-right and American racists, bigots, and misogynists poison essential social progress, to great effect. I've seen it working on many of my own client campaigns over the years: Social emotional learning used to be a wonderful and welcome concept in schools until it became toxic because of GOP culture wars. So was sex ed (which 93% of American parents SUPPORT). I could go on (global warming/ESG, anyone. Marriage equality?) The hard right creatively uses social media and under the radar ways to organize and before many of realize our rights were being taken away, it's too late. The issues are toxic in schools, public policy, in ad campaigns, and in corporate America. But the racism driving the anti-DEI movement is shocking for its blatancy. It's not insidious, it's firmly on the radar. I hope that the millions of companies who affirmed their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2020 speak up. It's not too late. Racism is motivating the backlash against DEI, says Sarah Green Carmichael in her latest for Bloomberg. https://lnkd.in/e7zfwdgs Echoing Natasha Bowman, JD, SPHR's sentiments. #baltimore #DEI #DEIMatters #DEIB #diversitymatters https://lnkd.in/eMAD8gah

Are you a first responder navigating the day-to-day work in this more than ever challenging profession? Thomas Datro really speaks from the heart, backed by true experience, training, and deep study of policing in America. He takes on the real hard uncomfortable conversations and peels back the layers. You may not agree with everything discussed, you may not like what you hear. But I guarantee it will make you think. I challenge anyone, regardless of background, civilian, #lawenforcement or somewhere in between, to listen to this with an open mind. Sometimes to understand the person, #community or different perspectives on the opposite end of that proverbial table we have to shift our #perspective to a level of opening ourselves to that point of discomfort and openness to see what #changestartshere can benefit all the stakeholders. Those #stakeholders being us, the American #society. Like it or not, we're all in this #together. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking conversation. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gEbnG3CM

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 "Discover the power of creative contributions in reentry success. Our course, 'Preparing for Success after Prison,' guides you in transforming past adversities into positive outcomes. Share your story of resilience and learn from others' experiences in this transformative journey." https://lnkd.in/gs6rvVsh

To achieve sustained success, organizations should adopt agile leadership, prioritize diversity and inclusion for improved business outcomes, and establish comprehensive plans that align strategic objectives with operational efficiencies. Furthermore, forming cross-functional sales teams and implementing co-leadership models can enhance collaboration and adaptability, which are essential for navigating the dynamic business environment.

Over the weekend, we joined forces in Selma to address the urgent matter of #VotingRights. Meanwhile, our legal team is in Mississippi working alongside ACLU, ACLU of Mississippi, Mississippi Center For Justice, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP to prevent the dilution of Black voting power. Dive deeper into this crucial trial: https://lnkd.in/eVG2iNb4