On Saturday, Oct. 19 from 4-5 p.m. ET, Lexipol’s Dr. Jaime Brower, Psy.D., ABPP, and Mandy Nice, will participate in a panel discussion titled “Retiring from Your Law Enforcement Career: Achieving Wellness Throughout the Emotional, Psychological, and Physical Transition to Your Next Best Chapter,” at IACP 2024 in Boston, Mass.
The panelists will provide real-world experiences, share expert advice and suggest retirement strategies for police officers to achieve a successful transition to life after policing, focusing on the psychological, physical and emotional issues that arise before, during and after retirement. In this article, Dr. Brower shares some of the key points the panel will review during the session around police retirement planning.
Retirement marks a significant transition, especially for those who have spent their careers in law enforcement. The job demands so much — physically, emotionally and mentally — that stepping away from it can feel like stepping into the unknown. Retiring well from law enforcement isn’t just about hanging up the badge and cashing in your police pension. It’s about achieving wellness and preparing for the emotional, psychological and physical changes that come with this new chapter in your life.
One critical factor that often goes unspoken about law enforcement retirement is that the highest rate of suicide among law enforcement officers occurs in the time leading up to retirement. This underscores the importance of agencies taking proactive steps to assist officers as they prepare to transition out of law enforcement. Ensuring that individuals are emotionally and psychologically ready for retirement is essential to preventing crises during this period.
The key to a healthy retirement for officers lies in preparing early in your career and addressing the unique mental health challenges that can arise as officers transition from law enforcement. Here are some key strategies to help you achieve that.
1. Develop an identity outside of policing
Many officers find that their personal and professional identities are closely intertwined with their role in law enforcement. While it’s natural to feel a deep connection to the job, it’s also important to cultivate a sense of self that extends beyond the badge. One of the best ways to prepare for retirement is to develop interests and passions outside of work early in your career.
Explore hobbies, community involvement, or activities that give you a sense of fulfillment separate from your job. This might mean spending time with family, volunteering, taking up new hobbies, or pursuing personal goals. Officers who have a rich personal life outside of work tend to find retirement far less jarring.
2. Invest in relationships
Police work can be isolating, and many officers find themselves putting personal relationships on hold due to the demands of the job. Long hours, unpredictable shifts and the stress of the role can take a toll on family and friendships. Investing in these relationships throughout your career will provide you with a support network once you leave the force.
Additionally, retirees need to prepare for a shift in how they socialize. Without the daily structure of going to work, officers may find that their usual social interactions dwindle. Actively reaching out to others and building new social circles becomes vital in retirement, as socializing will no longer come from the job itself. Officers who retire with a strong circle of family and friends often transition more smoothly into civilian life.
3. Prioritize mental health and prepare for “decontamination”
One of the most important yet often unacknowledged aspects of retiring from law enforcement is what’s considered to be “decontamination.” For many officers, the job requires them to compartmentalize and suppress the emotional and psychological effects of their work in order to stay focused and effective. But once they retire, they no longer have to hold back their processing of traumatic events or difficult calls. This can lead to a flood of emotions and memories surfacing after years of being held in check.
This stage of decontamination can be startling and disorienting for some officers, and they may require formal assistance in navigating this process. Agencies and organizations must be proactive in providing mental health resources and retirement preparation programs that address this specific challenge. Whether through chaplaincy, peer support, or trauma-focused counseling, it’s critical that retiring officers have the tools and support they need to process their past experiences in a healthy way.
Without this support, unresolved trauma can emerge unexpectedly, and the officer might feel overwhelmed, isolated, or anxious about this sudden flood of past events. Knowing that this is a normal part of retirement and being prepared to deal with it is key to a smoother transition.
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4. Focus on physical health
Police work is physically demanding, and over the years, officers experience everything from sleep disruption to chronic injuries. Taking care of your physical health early on is crucial to ensuring a smooth transition into retirement.
Maintaining a regular exercise routine, eating well and staying on top of your health check-ups will help you avoid common issues like burnout and chronic pain. Officers who prioritize their physical health are more likely to enjoy an active and healthy police retirement. Remember, physical wellness also supports emotional and psychological well-being — when you feel better physically, you’re better equipped to handle other aspects of life after law enforcement.
5. Solid financial planning
It’s easy to think of financial planning as something to worry about later, but the reality is that the earlier you start, the more secure you’ll be in retirement. Police pensions are a key part of retirement planning, but they aren’t the full picture. Consulting with a financial advisor who understands the unique needs of law enforcement officers can help you set up long-term savings, investment strategies, and health care planning.
When financial worries are minimized, the stress of retirement is greatly reduced, allowing you to focus on enjoying the next chapter of your life.
6. Continue learning and developing new skills
A law enforcement career equips you with a unique skill set, but it’s important to think about how those skills can translate into post-retirement opportunities. Officers who continue learning and developing new skills throughout their careers often find it easier to transition into retirement because they’re prepared for second careers, hobbies, or volunteer opportunities.
Whether through formal education, certifications, or simply exploring new interests, keeping your mind engaged and open to learning new things ensures that retirement doesn’t feel like the end of the road but rather a new and exciting chapter.
7. Avoiding the pitfalls: Myths of retirement
Another aspect of retirement that causes unnecessary stress is the negative myths surrounding it. Officers often hear nightmare stories of retirees struggling to find purpose, battling isolation, or experiencing financial hardship. However, it’s important to remember that these situations don’t have to be the norm.
Retirement is what you make of it, and many officers retire healthy, excited and ready to embrace their next chapter. It’s crucial not to catastrophize or assume the worst about retirement. With the right preparation — both personal and professional — many officers find that retirement is a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
How can family members support their loved ones as they move into retirement?
While officers need to take proactive steps to ensure their own wellness, families also play a critical role in supporting their loved ones through this transition. Retirement is not just a personal shift for the officer — it affects the entire family dynamic. Here are some ways family members can provide support for their retiring police officers:
- Encourage open communication: One of the biggest challenges officers face during retirement is feeling disconnected or unsure of their new role. Families can help by encouraging open dialogue about what the officer is feeling emotionally and mentally as they approach and enter retirement. This helps officers process their thoughts and feelings, rather than bottling them up.
- Be patient with the transition: The shift from a high-stress, high-adrenaline job to a slower-paced life can be jarring. Family members should recognize that it might take time for the officer to adjust. Patience and understanding are key as the officer learns to navigate life without the demands of the job.
- Help them cultivate new interests: Family members can play a pivotal role in encouraging retired officers to explore new hobbies or passions. Whether it’s traveling, volunteering, or developing a new skill, family support can help retirees find purpose and fulfillment outside of policing.
- Stay connected: Maintaining strong family connections is critical for officers in retirement. Whether that’s through spending more quality time together or involving the officer in family activities, keeping them engaged socially can prevent feelings of isolation and boredom that sometimes accompany retirement.
Conclusion: Achieving wellness in your next best chapter
The transition from a law enforcement career to retirement is a major life event, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or negative. By focusing on wellness and the emotional, psychological and physical aspects of the transition, officers can set themselves up for a fulfilling life after the badge. The key to emotional wellness after retirement is starting early — developing interests outside of work, investing in relationships, prioritizing mental and physical health, and planning financially.
At the end of the day, retirement is a new beginning, not an ending. With the right preparation and mindset, your next best chapter can be one of growth, fulfillment and continued purpose — supported by both your own efforts and the encouragement of your loved ones. Start taking steps today to ensure that when you do retire from law enforcement, you’re ready to embrace the future with strength, confidence and wellness.
How does your agency measure up when it comes to wellness? Lexipol’s Wellness solutions help agencies deliver anonymous, 24/7 support, enhance peer support team readiness, and build a culture of wellness. Contact Lexipol at 844-312-9500 to learn more or request a demo.
