Policing, Mental Health, and the Need for Change
Table of Contents
Intro
The Culture of Policing: Brotherhood and Burden
The Mental Health Gap in Law Enforcement
Why Communication Skills Save Lives
Public Scrutiny and Systemic Pressure
Tools for Accountability and Healing
Rethinking Mental Health in Policing
Conclusion
Policing is often seen as a profession of strength and protection. When we picture officers, we imagine authority, discipline, and the responsibility of keeping communities safe. But behind the badge are men and women carrying invisible burdens—layers of stress, trauma, and emotional weight that are rarely acknowledged.
Every day, officers encounter individuals in the middle of mental health crises, all while trying to manage their own. The pressure to respond quickly, the stigma around vulnerability, and the lack of mental health support create a cycle that affects both officers and the people they serve.
In a powerful conversation with Sonia Krishna Chand, retired NYPD officer Tom Smith shares his personal journey and sheds light on why the intersection of policing and mental health cannot be ignored. His reflections highlight not only the struggles officers face but also the urgent need for systemic change in how we approach law enforcement and wellness.
The Culture of Policing: Brotherhood and Burden
Tom Smith, a retired NYPD officer, explained in the podcast that policing is not just a job—it becomes an identity and a family. Inspired by his father’s service, he joined the force and quickly understood the deep sense of camaraderie that exists among officers. The culture of brotherhood creates loyalty, shared purpose, and the feeling that your colleagues will always have your back. For many officers, this bond is one of the most rewarding parts of the profession.
But as Tom shared in the episode, the same culture that builds solidarity also creates hidden struggles. Within policing, vulnerability is often seen as weakness. Admitting stress, trauma, or emotional pain can be perceived as a threat to credibility or reliability. As a result, many officers internalize their struggles rather than seek help. The unspoken rule is to “push through,” even when the weight of the job becomes overwhelming.
This silence comes at a cost. Officers witness some of the most difficult situations imaginable—crises, violence, loss of life—yet are rarely given the tools or safe spaces to process what they experience. In the conversation, Tom emphasized that while physical strength and protection are vital, true resilience in policing must also include emotional and mental wellbeing.
As highlighted in the podcast, if policing is to serve communities effectively, the culture must evolve. Brotherhood should mean more than shared toughness; it should also mean supporting one another in moments of vulnerability.
The Mental Health Gap in Law Enforcement
In the podcast, Tom Smith spoke candidly about the deep mental health gap that exists on both sides of policing, within the force and in the way officers respond to the public.
For Officers: Police work is marked by constant exposure to trauma. From responding to violent crimes to witnessing the aftermath of accidents, officers carry images and experiences that most people will never see. Over time, this takes a heavy toll on mental health. Yet within law enforcement, there is still a stigma around seeking therapy or even admitting to emotional struggles. Many officers choose silence, fearing judgment from peers or concerns about their careers. As Tom explained, this silence often leads to burnout, depression, or even more severe consequences when stress is left unchecked.
For the Public: The other side of the gap affects community members. People experiencing mental health crises—including autistic and neurodivergent individuals—are often met by officers who have not been trained to respond with sensitivity and understanding. A lack of awareness can escalate situations rather than calm them, sometimes putting vulnerable individuals at greater risk. Tom and Sonia stressed in the podcast that this is not because officers do not care, but because the system has not prioritized equipping them with the right tools.
The Bigger Picture: This dual gap creates harm for both groups. Officers struggle in silence, and communities do not always receive the compassionate responses they need. As Tom put it in his conversation with Sonia, closing this gap is not only about protecting officers’ wellbeing but also about building safer, more empathetic relationships with the public.
Why Communication Skills Save Lives
Officers are often the first point of contact in a crisis. If they cannot recognize the signs of autism, mental health distress, or trauma, their default responses may unintentionally escalate the situation. A raised voice, a command, or even physical presence can overwhelm someone who is already in crisis. By contrast, a calm tone, patience, and awareness of body language can de-escalate tension before it spirals.
Example: Tom shared that understanding cues like avoiding eye contact, delayed responses, or unusual movements may indicate autism or anxiety rather than defiance. If an officer assumes noncompliance instead of recognizing distress, the encounter can quickly become unsafe. Proper communication allows officers to pause, assess, and respond with empathy.
Trauma-informed practices—approaches that acknowledge and adapt to the invisible wounds people carry—do more than prevent harm. They build trust between officers and the public. When communities see officers who listen first and act with understanding, perceptions of policing begin to shift. This kind of training does not weaken law enforcement; it strengthens its connection with the people it is meant to serve.
Tom and Sonia’s conversation in the podcast made it clear: the ability to communicate with compassion is not optional. It is a critical skill that can determine whether an encounter ends with safety and trust or with lasting trauma.
Public Scrutiny and Systemic Pressure
Policing has always been a demanding profession, but events such as the murder of George Floyd placed officers under unprecedented public scrutiny. Retired NYPD officer Tom Smith shared in the podcast that while accountability is essential, the fallout from these high-profile cases has weighed heavily on officers who already carry layers of trauma. The badge becomes not only a symbol of authority but also a target of public anger, leaving many officers feeling isolated and misunderstood.
This tension creates a painful paradox. On one side, communities—especially marginalized ones—distrust the very institution meant to protect them. On the other, officers themselves often struggle with unaddressed mental health challenges, making it harder to respond with empathy. Tom explained that when these two forces collide, interactions can become fraught, not because people lack good intentions, but because both sides are operating under immense pressure.
It is then realized that reform cannot stop at policies or disciplinary measures. As Tom and Sonia emphasized in their conversation on the podcast, real change must also include systems of care for officers. Support structures such as counseling, peer support networks, and trauma-informed training are not luxuries—they are necessities. By tending to the mental health of those enforcing the law, we not only protect officers but also improve the quality of their interactions with the public.
The takeaway is clear: accountability and care must go hand in hand. A healthier police force creates safer communities, and safer communities build trust that benefits everyone.
Tools for Accountability and Healing
Body Cameras as More Than Surveillance
When people think of body cameras, the first thought is often surveillance and evidence gathering. While that is true, retired officer Tom Smith explained in the podcast “On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Autism, Neurodivergence, and Mental Health” that these tools can also be used in a much deeper way. They provide an opportunity for officers to reflect on their own actions, review encounters, and learn from difficult situations. Instead of being framed only as a form of control, body cameras can become mirrors that foster professional growth and self-awareness.
Policy Change With Purpose
Policies around accountability have to be more than checklists or reactive measures after tragedies. When implemented with the right mindset, they can rebuild trust between law enforcement and the public while also supporting the people behind the badge. For officers, fair and transparent accountability systems can create an environment where growth is possible and mistakes become opportunities for learning, not just punishment. For communities, these policies demonstrate that the institution of policing is capable of change and care.
In his conversation with Sonia on the podcast, Tom made it clear that accountability should not be treated as an enemy of policing. Instead, it can serve as a bridge toward healing. When officers see accountability as a shared commitment rather than a threat, it reduces defensiveness and opens space for growth. For the public, it signals that their voices matter. For officers, it creates a healthier culture where learning and emotional resilience are encouraged.
It is worth noting that true accountability is not about breaking people down. It is about building systems where both officers and communities can feel safe, respected, and understood. Healing begins when accountability is reframed as a tool for growth rather than punishment.
Rethinking Mental Health in Policing
Shift in Perspective
For decades, policing has been built around physical strength, tactical response, and discipline. While these skills are vital, Tom Smith’s conversation on the podcast makes it clear that they are not enough in today’s world. Officers are regularly called to situations involving people in mental health crises—whether that means someone experiencing depression, psychosis, or an autistic individual overwhelmed by sensory input. Without the right training, officers can unintentionally escalate instead of de-escalating. Mental health education must move from being an optional training module to a core part of every officer’s skill set. Just like tactical drills, mental health awareness should be second nature.
Reform cannot rest solely on the shoulders of officers. Communities also play a role in shaping systems that prioritize compassion alongside protection. Citizens, advocates, and policymakers must push for resources, funding, and laws that protect both the public and the officers themselves. As Tom emphasizes in the podcast, this is not about choosing sides, it is about creating systems where everyone’s wellbeing is considered. Communities that demand mental health integration in policing help pave the way for safer neighborhoods and healthier officers.
Conclusion
Policing and mental health can no longer be treated as separate issues. They are deeply intertwined, and failing to address one harms the other. As such, supporting officers in their mental wellbeing is just as critical as protecting communities. When officers are equipped with tools for emotional resilience and trauma-informed communication, everyone benefits—officers, families, and the people they serve.
Tom’s story, shared on the podcast, offers both a candid look at the challenges and a hopeful vision for change. If you want to better understand what is at stake and what can be done, listen to the full episode for his heartfelt reflections and practical suggestions on bridging the gap between policing and mental health.