MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office concluded a two-day training session on Thursday, June 26, for Resiliency Program Officers as part of the New Jersey Resiliency Program for Law Enforcement.
Thirty-three participants from municipal, county, and state agencies across Morris County and beyond took part in the training, which was held at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy.
The training was conducted in accordance with Attorney General Directive 2019-1, which mandates that every state, county, and local law enforcement agency designate at least one Resiliency Program Officer (RPO). These officers are trained to support the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of law enforcement personnel and are responsible for training members of their departments.
The program included a combination of lectures and practical exercises and covered topics such as officer wellness, peer support, suicide prevention, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) principles, the four pillars of resiliency, and long-term program sustainability. It also emphasized the importance of support networks such as COP2COP, a 24/7 confidential peer support hotline available to law enforcement officers.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll delivered opening remarks for the session, highlighting the critical need for mental health resources within the law enforcement community.
“Members of law enforcement put their lives on the line to protect the public,” Carroll said. “Unfortunately, this critical job comes with a high degree of stress and trauma. We owe it to our officers to provide them the support structure and resources they need so they don’t have to suffer in silence.”
Instructors from the Morris County Master Resiliency Team included MCPO Capt. Mark Castellano, MCPO Sgt. Patrick LaGuerre, Chester Township Police Sgt. Douglas Shea, and Kinnelon Police Lt. Chris Mucci.
The COP2COP support line is available at 1-866-COP-2COP (267-2267).
