Sen. Warner vows to continue support for mental health training for police, first responders

Apr. 27—About a year and a half ago, Fredericksburg police responded to an accident at one of the city's apartment complexes in which an 8-year-old boy ran in front of a car and was struck.

City police chief Brian Layton said the first responding officer spoke Spanish and was able to communicate with the boy. But he couldn't save the child, who died in the officer's arms.

"It was a horrific scene," Layton said. "That's the kind of thing that stays with you for a lifetime."

In previous times, the responding officers would have had to simply "suck it up" and move on to the next assignment. But thanks in part to a $174,000 federal grant the city and other members of the Rappahannock Regional Justice Academy received in 2022, that officer and about 800 others have been able to receive mental health training and counseling, Layton said.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who was instrumental in securing the grant, was at the academy Friday for a visit that lasted a little over an hour and featured a roundtable discussion regarding mental health for first responders. Warner was joined by representatives of multiple law enforcement agencies, local supervisors and City Council members, state Dels. Joshua Cole and Paul Milde and state Sen. Tara Durant.

Warner heard a couple of success stories, vowed to continue his support for mental health resources and sought ideas about how to improve on the current progress. "The challenges facing law enforcement officers, especially over the last three or four years, have been extraordinarily challenging," Warner said. "These are the people who see some of the most traumatic situations in people's lives, and we can't overlook the impact that can have on their mental well-being."

Layton said first responders who receive training at the academy now receive trauma and resilience workshops aimed at preparing them to better deal with some of the things they'll see on the job. But the roundtable attendees agreed that it is a little more difficult to get some of the more seasoned responders to buy in.

"The struggle is with the veterans," said Capt. Chad McKnight of the Culpeper Sheriff's Office, who said he is nearing the end of his career. "We were taught just to suck it up, but (mental health awareness) is something I should have paid more attention to early on."

Maj. Jason Dembowski of the Stafford Sheriff's Office agreed that it is especially difficult for older law enforcement personnel to seek mental health help for fear of being stigmatized. He said the grant that is currently being utilized "gives us a way to change the culture."

The discussion also touched upon such issues as recruiting and retaining first responders, especially when it comes to pay. Maj. Timothy Moore, who lives in Spotsylvania but works for the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, said "I can't afford to work where I live and I can't afford to live where I work."

The $174,000 grant expires in October. Warner said he will do all he can to make sure another grant is available by then.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404

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