Public Safety Preservation

06/12/2026

Announced today at the Mayor's State of the City: the new Chief Jeffery E. Bladel Legacy of Service Award.

Created to honor recently retired Chief Jeff Bladel, this new annual award recognizes a department employee whose dedication, innovation, and leadership advance our mission, especially in gun violence reduction and data-driven policing.

The award will highlight those who use thoughtful analysis and take initiative to make a lasting difference for our department and our community. The first recipient will be recognized later this year.

06/10/2026

Healing doesn’t always happen all at once. Sometimes it begins with finally laying down the anger, pain, and burdens you were never meant to carry alone. There is freedom in putting God first and trusting Him with the weight you’ve been holding onto for so long.

06/10/2026

For the person who almost didn’t make it here.

For the person reading quietly.
For the person who is tired of explaining why life feels heavy.
For the person who has been carrying more than anyone knows.

Stay.

Not because everything is fixed.
Not because pain magically disappears when Project Semicolon says something catchy, because everyone tries that.

Stay because your life is still here.
Stay because help can still reach you.
Stay because one hard chapter is not the whole story.

You are not alone.
Your story isn’t over.
Keep going.

If you’re in immediate danger or thinking about su***de, call or text 988 in the U.S. or Canada.

06/10/2026

June is National PTSD Awareness Month. This is a time to honor resilience, break stigma, and stand with those affected. Let’s raise awareness, advocate for care, and build understanding across our communities.

06/08/2026

06/02/2026

Police leaders must change their culture and play a critical role in supporting their officers following a critical incident. While officers are trained to manage high-stress situations, the emotional and psychological impact of a traumatic event can be significant and long-lasting.

Leaders must create an environment where officers feel safe discussing their struggles without fear of judgment, stigma, or career repercussions. Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen.

Effective leadership includes checking in regularly, providing access to mental health resources, encouraging peer support, respecting confidentiality, and remaining engaged throughout the recovery process. Support should not end after the initial debriefing.

By demonstrating empathy, compassion, and a genuine commitment to officer wellness, police leaders help their officers heal, build resilience, and continue serving their communities while protecting their own mental health.

By Stop The Threat - Stop The Stigma Founder and Wisconsin Police Captain Adam Meyers, CPS

www.stopthethreatstopthestigma.org