A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO MENTAL, PHYSICAL & FINANCIAL WELLNESS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy will be conducting a comprehensive wellness course that is designed to provide law enforcement professionals with practical tools, strategies and knowledge to thrive in their careers and personal lives. Covering the pillars of financial wellness, mental health, physical fitness, and nutritional wellness, the course takes an all-encompassing approach to officer well-being, focusing on the unique challenges faced by law enforcement professionals, and will empower officers to lead healthier, more balanced lives, ultimately enhancing their performance, safety, and longevity in law enforcement.

TOPIC AREAS: 

• Financial Wellness - Learn strategies for budgeting, debt management, retirement planning, and building financial security, tailored specifically for law enforcement officers. By understanding the fundamentals of financial planning, officers can alleviate stress related to finances, ultimately enhancing both personal and professional resilience.
• Mental Health Wellness - This module covers stress management, resilience building, and mental health awareness, emphasizing strategies to cope with the emotional demands of police work. Officers will learn to recognize and manage stress indicators, build mental resilience, and access resources for mental health support, including techniques for maintaining mental well-being both on and off duty.
• Physical Fitness & Nutritional Wellness - Participants will learn nutritional best practices geared towards the physical demands of law enforcement work. The course provides fitness routines to improve endurance, strength, and flexibility, and covers dietary guidelines and meal planning to support sustained energy and focus. Topics covered include nutrition for energy and recovery, tactical strength and conditioning programming tailored to the demands of law enforcement, practical meal planning, and other wellness tips to promote long-term health and longevity.

Course Instructors:

• Richard Caito, INCI – Rich is a retired police officer / K9 handler with over 26 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career in 1997 with the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) Public Safety Department, serving there for six years before moving over to the Town of Amherst (NY) Police Department for the next 20 years, retiring as a K-9 Handler/trainer for Police Service Dog Harley.  Rich is a DCJS Master Police Instructor as well as an IADLEST Nationally Certified Instructor currently employed part time by the Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy since 2006 and has been actively involved in various levels of law enforcement and security training.
• David Willert, LMHC – David is a licensed mental health clinician who offers clinical therapy. David is a retired police officer (of 12 years) and brings real world experiences along with academic knowledge and clinical training into sessions.  David is also a DCJS General Topics Instructor.
• Camille Panaro – Camille is an experienced educator and content creator with a background in health, fitness, and environmental science. She holds dual master’s degrees in Exercise Science and Childhood Education, combining academic knowledge with practical application. Camille also trains athletes and creates personalized nutrition and fitness programs for clients, and she is also a DCJS General Topics Instructor.
• Mark Anastasia – Mark is a financial advisor with L&M Wealth Management and has been affiliated with them since 2004.  He is a Registered Representative with Securities America, Inc. and holds Series 7 and Series 63 licenses and holds Life, Accident, Health, and Disability Insurance licenses as well as the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation.

Please Note:

• YOU MUST RECEIVE TELEPHONE OR EMAIL CONFIRMATION FOR ENROLLMENT IN THIS COURSE!  Notice will be made approximately 2 weeks prior to start of course, DO NOT CONTACT THE ACADEMY OFFICE PRIOR TO THEN
• Course enrollment will be strictly limited to thirty (30) students, NO EXCEPTIONS
• Placement is NOT on a first come, first serve basis.
• Agencies may be limited in enrollment to allow equal opportunity to this course. 
• You DO NOT need agency authorization to attend this course, officers are encouraged to sign up and attend on their own however, officers who are enrolled through their agency will receive preference over those who are attending on their own.

Please Observe the Academy Dress Code: 

• Police Uniform or business casual attire; blue jeans, T-shirts & sneakers are NOT acceptable!