Committing your career to bettering the community through law enforcement is one of the noblest professions there is. However, it is also one of the most mentally taxing careers as well. Officers are exposed to situations on a daily basis that most people will never experience in their entire lives.

For this reason, it’s critical for officers to focus on their mental health, well-being and preparation. It’s a lesson I’ve had to learn through my years with the Niagara Regional Police. Having reached the level of detective in the street crime unit, I’ve had to see people at their lowest. In many ways, their desperation reminds me of my life in communist Romania, because their life is no longer their own. They’re just living for the next high. Seeing that kind of hopelessness is difficult for any officer because you just want to help so badly.

Developing healthy coping mechanisms to deal with this intense on-the-job stress isn’t easy, but it is key to longevity in the career and positive life outside of work.

Today, some of my greatest satisfaction comes from working with former colleagues to help develop a wall of separation between the job and personal life.