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Zion council approves three‑year peer support and mental‑health services for police
Summary
The council unanimously approved a three‑year agreement with We Never Walk Alone to provide peer support and mental‑health resources for Zion Police Department staff; chief described training for four peer officers and a city cost described as $30 per officer per year, total three‑year cost stated at $5,580.
Zion’s City Council unanimously approved a three‑year peer‑support and mental‑health services agreement for the police department with the national provider We Never Walk Alone.
Police Chief Barton described the program as 24/7 access to clinicians, an online self‑assessment, anonymized referral resources, veterans’ services and in‑department peer training. Barton said the city would train four peer officers initially and noted a three‑year commitment. The city cost was described in the packet as $30 per officer per year; staff also stated a total three‑year cost of $5,580 (or $1,860 annually) for the initial enrollment.
Councilmembers voiced support for the measure as a way to support officers’ well‑being following elevated call volumes and challenging interactions since the COVID‑19 pandemic. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
Why it matters: municipal peer‑support programs aim to reduce burnout and connect first responders to mental‑health services; council members framed the expenditure as a modest investment in workforce readiness and community safety.
What’s next: staff will finalize the vendor contract and schedule department training for peer supporters.
