Tiverton Police Department introduces new app to help officers with mental health

TIVERTON, R.I. (WLNE) — September is national suicide prevention month and the Tiverton Police Department will bring awareness to the issue of law enforcement suicide by bringing a brand-new app to its department.

The department said that just about every officer has either experienced or knows someone who’s dealt with thoughts of depression or suicide.

“I mean, thankfully, nothing so severe where an officer from this department has taken their lives, not since I’ve been here,” Lt. John DeLuc said. “But there’s always struggles, whether it’s on the job or it’s personal, that affects what we do here, and then you take that home or vice versa.” 

The app, Powerline, provides a range of support options for officers, all anonymously.

Anything from substance abuse support to therapy and even support from former law enforcement professionals can be found on the app.

“Often times I think in jobs such as this, whether it’s law enforcement, it could even be nursing, it could be the fire department,” DeLuc said. “I think officers feel more comfortable reaching out and talking with other people that have been subjected to this line of work.” 

The app has been in use for the past few weeks, and since it’s anonymous, LeDuc can’t say how or if it’s working, but he said just knowing officers have the option is a major step forward.

“Unfortunately, with the job that we do, it can be tough, you know, to deal with personally and professionally,” he said. “So hopefully some awareness will get out there and people kind of realize that it’s an issue.”