Publisher's Note:  During a recent visit to the Bakersfield Police Department as part of Leadership Bakersfield's Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Day, I learned about BPD's Wellness Program – and it quickly became clear that this was a story worth sharing. My Content Manager, Melony, and I were both impressed by the intentional way our local police department cares for the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of its officers and professional staff. This month – thanks to Sergeant Colmen – we're honored to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the people who spend so much time caring for our community – and the people working hard to care for them. 

 

The Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) recognizes that law enforcement officers and professional staff face unique physical, emotional, and mental challenges throughout their careers. Rather than waiting for a crisis to occur, the City of Bakersfield and BPD leadership have made employee wellness a proactive priority. With suicide remaining one of the leading causes of death among law enforcement officers, the department understands the importance of providing meaningful wellness resources before employees reach a breaking point. 

 

In 2021, BPD expanded its wellness efforts by appointing me as the department’s first full-time Wellness Coordinator – a veteran of the department and longtime Peer Support Team member. I was tasked with developing a comprehensive wellness program focused on reducing stress-related injuries, medical retirements, and suicides while improving the quality of life for our employees and their families. 

 

With support from city leadership, the department unified its Peer Support Team, Physical Fitness Team, and Chaplain Program under one Wellness Team umbrella. Today, the Wellness Team includes 23 Peer Support members, 19 Physical Fitness members, and 16 Chaplains representing a broad range of assignments, including patrol, investigations, communications, training, records, and traffic. This structure ensures employees have access to support from individuals who understand the unique demands of their work. 

 

The Wellness Team provides employees and their families with opportunities to decompress physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Team members receive ongoing training to assist employees experiencing stress, trauma, or personal hardships. The Chaplain Program has also expanded significantly, providing faith-based support, ride-alongs, family assistance, and crisis response services for both employees and community members. 

 

In 2025, the Peer Support Team responded to numerous critical incidents, including officer-involved shootings, fatal traffic collisions, juvenile deaths, and other traumatic events. Team members also maintained regular contact with employees on injury, military, or family leave, ensuring they remained connected and supported during difficult times. 

 

More recently, the Wellness program played a vital supporting role in the care of our officers and the families who endured the hours-long downtown hostage event. While a variety of services were offered on-site, services continue to be provided to support all involved. 

 

Mental health support remains a cornerstone of the Wellness Program. Through a partnership with Shielding the Frontline Kern County, employees and their families receive free, confidential counseling services from culturally competent clinicians. Additional support is available through the CORDICO wellness application, which offers confidential self-assessments, wellness articles, videos, and direct access to wellness resources. 

 

Year-round, the Physical Fitness Team promotes healthy lifestyles through annual fitness events, wellness challenges, and one-on-one support. Employees also benefit from partnerships with local meal-prep businesses that provide healthy meal options tailored to the demands of law enforcement schedules. 

 

In 2023, the department opened an off-site Wellness Center designed specifically for employees to decompress, attend debriefings, or connect with Wellness Team members in a private and supportive environment. Due to overwhelming usage, the facility was expanded to meet growing demand. In 2025, the department opened a second Wellness Center on the west side of Bakersfield, along with two Wellness Rooms to support employees in investigations and those attending court proceedings. 

 

The BPD Wellness Program also emphasizes strong community partnerships. Organizations such as Dignity Health, California Cardiovascular Institute, Grand Canyon University, Bolthouse Farms, Financial Fitness, and several local businesses have partnered with the department to provide educational classes, wellness events, family activities, and health resources for employees and their families.  

 

BPD’s Mission Statement reflects this commitment: “The Wellness Team strives to take a holistic approach to the overall well-being of Bakersfield Police Department employees and their families.” Its Vision Statement is simple yet impactful: “To live a mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy life.” 

 

Today, BPD continues to serve as a model for officer wellness by prioritizing prevention, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring employees and their families have access to the support they need throughout their careers and into retirement. We are always looking for local partnerships and welcome any business or service provider who would like to join our efforts in ensuring the health and wellness of our valued sworn officers and professional staff.