INDIANAPOLIS -- The nation's top law enforcement officer was in town Wednesday to praise Indianapolis' police force.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch was at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's headquarters to congratulate the department's officer safety and wellness program. The program equips officers with counseling, referrals and other tools needed to deal with the stress of the job.
An average of 144 law enforcement officers die every year in the line of duty. What is not as well known is the number our country loses to suicide.
The Fraternal Order of Police says it could be as many as 450 officers per year.
"Our officers see people at their absolute worst, worst part of their life, and our officers see that every single day," IMPD Lt. Rick Snyder said.
"It takes a different kind of courage to reach out your hand for help, to deal with the invisible wounds, the unseen scars of trauma, of dealing with stress, of dealing with the challenges of 21st century policing," Lynch said.
US Atty. Gen. @LorettaLynch sits down w/ #Indy community leaders to talk @IMPD_News officer safety & wellness @rtv6 pic.twitter.com/BPeoTvrmeK
— Eric Cox (@EricRTV6) April 13, 2016
Thank you to @LorettaLynch @IndyMayorJoe @SDINnews for spending the morning honoring IMPD officer wellness program pic.twitter.com/FKObaWxmAU
— IMPD (@IMPD_News) April 13, 2016
The visit is part of her national community policing tour.
IMPD is one of six police forces in the national spotlight thanks to the Attorney General's stamp of approval.
The other cities she's visited are:
- Miami
- Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Los Angeles
- Portland, Oregon
- Phoenix
This is the second time Lynch has visited Indianapolis in the past year. She was in town in July for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement, trying to bridge the gap between the police and the community.
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"The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has done an outstanding job of promoting officer safety and wellness and I am proud that our partners at the IMPD are being recognized for their efforts in keeping our police officers and community safe," Minkler said.
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