WASHINGTON — The Destination Zero program, part of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, aims to enhance the health and safety of law enforcement officers across the nation by spotlighting effective wellness and safety initiatives.
Each year, the Destination Zero awards recognize agencies that proactively work to reduce injuries and improve overall officer wellness. The winners are honored during Police Weekend, encouraging all law enforcement agencies to research successful initiatives and implement their own safety measures.
The 2024 award winners are:
- Traffic Safety Award: Independence (Ohio) Police Department for their program using portable generators at major intersections to ensure officers don’t have to stand in the street during inclement weather or accidents.
- Wellness Award: Texas Department of Public Safety for their Fitness Wellness Unit, which provides physical wellness programs, webinars and training for over 11,000 employees – from recruitment to retirement.
- General Safety Award: Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department for opening their Fairfax County Public Safety Wellness Center, which offers behavioral health services to public safety personnel and retirees in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax.
- Comprehensive Wellness Award: Baltimore City (Md.) Police Department for their Officer Safety and Wellness Department, which supports officers’ physical, mental, financial and spiritual wellbeing throughout their careers.
- Comprehensive Safety Award: Louisville Metro (Ky.) Police Department for their Exposure Response Team, which responds to officer exposure to body fluids and a respiratory protection program that safeguards against contaminants with air-purifying respirators.
To learn more about the innovative programs recognized in this year’s Destination Zero awards, check out the videos and social posts below, highlighting each department’s initiatives and their impact on officer safety and wellness.
Interested in applying for next year’s award? Click here to submit your successful safety and wellness programs for consideration in the 2025 Officer Safety and Wellness Awards.
Traffic Safety Award: Independence (Ohio) Police Department
Wellness Award: Texas Department of Public Safety
General Safety Award: Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department
Comprehensive Wellness Award: Baltimore City (Md.) Police Department
Comprehensive Safety Award: Louisville Metro (Ky.) Police Department
The department’s Exposure Response Team, which handles officer exposure to bodily fluids, and its respiratory protection program, designed to protect officers from contaminants, earned them the Comprehensive Safety Award. Learn more here.
NEXT: Attending Police Weekend 2024? Learn about the must-attend events from Sept. 27-29.
