The purpose of this initiative is to elevate mental health and wellness as a core organizational priority within the bartlesville police department (BPD)

The Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Program awarded the City of Bartlesville $200,000 under the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (CFDA 16.070) on October 1, 2025, to implement a comprehensive mental health and wellness initiative within the Bartlesville Police Department.

The award funds four strategic objectives. First, the city will secure a contractual agreement with a fully licensed mental health therapist to provide 24/7 access to services for officers, staff, and their immediate family members. Second, the city will integrate trauma-informed practices into departmental wellness efforts, including two scheduled therapy sessions per year for each employee. Third, the city will foster a culture prioritizing mental health through therapist-led training sessions designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and enhance understanding of mental health challenges specific to law enforcement. Fourth, the city will implement comprehensive wellness programs including permitting physical exercise during duty hours, conducting biannual wellness evaluations, and extending support services to officers' family members.

The City of Bartlesville is the recipient and direct implementer of the award. Performance takes place in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. No sub-recipients are identified in the award documentation.

This will be accomplished through the implementation of a comprehensive, strategically guided plan focused on securing dedicated resources, enhancing departmental policies, and developing procedural improvements. These efforts are designed to foster lasting cultural change by building trust, reducing stigma, and improving access to mental health support and wellness services. Grounded in current research and best practices, the bartlesville police department has formulated a strategic plan centered around four key objectives. The first objective focuses on reducing barriers to care by securing a contractual agreement with a fully licensed mental health therapist who will provide 24/7 access to services for officers, staff, and their immediate family members. The second objective aims to proactively address the effects of trauma and cumulative stress by integrating trauma-informed practices into the department's wellness efforts, including the provision of two scheduled therapy sessions per year for each employee. The third objective seeks to foster a departmental culture that prioritizes and supports mental health by offering ongoing initiatives such as therapist-led training sessions designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and enhance understanding of mental health challenges commonly encountered in law enforcement. The fourth objective emphasizes the implementation of comprehensive wellness programs that benefit both personnel and their families. These include permitting physical exercise during duty hours, conducting biannual wellness evaluations, and extending support services to officers' family members.