The lexington police department request funding to hire a second behavioral health and wellness coordinator

The Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Program awarded the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government $200,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (CFDA 16.070) to hire a second Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Lexington Police Department. The position will expand mental health and wellness service capacity for department personnel, reduce the workload of existing counseling staff, and sustain officer mental health and suicide prevention support. The award period runs through September 30, 2027, with performance in Lexington, Kentucky. The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act program supports law enforcement agencies implementing new or enhanced mental health programs that include peer support, stress reduction, suicide prevention, and family support services. Recipients must submit semiannual programmatic performance reports and quarterly federal financial reports, comply with all award monitoring activities conducted by the COPS Office, and retain financial records for three years following award conclusion.

The addition of a second therapist would improve upon what we can offer our personnel but also help make our current counselor workload more manageable and continue to offer much needed officer mental health and wellness services.