Melrose Police Launch Wellness Program to Help Ensure Welfare of Officers and Their Families

MELROSE — The Melrose Police Department is launching a new wellness program for officers and their families just a year after losing an officer to an unexpected medical emergency.

Police and all first responders face tremendous amounts of both physical and mental stress while responding to emergencies. Officer wellness has been a key initiative that Chief Kevin Faller has wanted to start since becoming chief. 

The department’s loss of an officer to an unexpected medical emergency last year highlighted the need for such a program, and prompted Chief Faller to accelerate his plans. 

The department is now partnering with FirstGevity, which provides a wellness app that can be used by both police employees and their families. 

The app helps to guide physical workouts, nutrition plans, stress reduction, and other healthy activities to keep officers both physically and mentally well. 

“In addition to losing an officer last year, we have had several officers experience personal tragedies and challenges that they deserve support with,” said Chief Faller. “I’m also pleased this program enables family members to sign up, as we recognize that a career in law enforcement can be challenging not just for first responders, but also for their families who provide vital support.”

Chief Faller said that improving officer health and wellness also helps to improve morale, and by extension retention, making the entire department stronger in the process. 

The department will also move into a new police station in about 14 months, and that station will have a brand new fitness room. The current station does not have a fitness room, and the combination of the wellness program and fitness facilities should significantly improve officers’ physical and mental well-being. 

Chief Faller recently appeared on the podcast of FirstGevity Founder Paige Arnone, and residents can listen to that podcast by clicking here. 

For more information on FirstGevity, visit: firstgevity.com.