PEACE program supporters ask council for funds to sustain police wellness training

The council received testimony April 1 in support of a program that provides mindfulness, wellness and trauma-informed training to Houston police officers and that engages youth through school partnerships.

Jasmine Porter, founder of the PEACE program, described the effort as a dual-focus initiative offering personal-development and wellness training to officers and community engagement with students. Porter said the program reduces stress-related outcomes and can improve decision-making, emotional regulation and de-escalation skills. “It is a matter of public safety that we not only have officers alive and well to protect and serve the community, but also that they are in the best state of mind to truly protect and serve,” Porter said.

Council member Dwight Pollard described prior collaborations to fund the program through union and Houston Police Department support and said he has put forward a proposal to provide Council District Service Fund dollars to continue the initiative. Pollard asked council for approval of the proposed dollars to sustain the program.

Chief of Police support was cited by Porter and council members; Porter said the program has the department’s backing and partnerships with Houston Independent School District for youth outreach. Council members thanked Porter for the program and indicated they would consider funding through district or departmental proposals.

Ending

Council members signaled support and said they would consider funding options to sustain the program. No final funding vote occurred on April 1.