Police Leavers Programmes
Working with Stuart Noble a retired Chief Superintendent I have developed and delivered the Resilient Senior Leaders Programme (RESLEAPS) delivered over a number of years. The RESLEAPS programme is supported by the National Police Superintendent Association and funded by Movember. The programme won the Association of Business Psychology Excellence in Health and Wellbeing award 2022 and has been delivered in the largest Police Forces in the UK. We have also developed the Police Leavers Toolkit with the College of Policing National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) to support all ranks of officers and staff leaving policing across the UK.
Our programmes are evidence based, conducting interviews with over 50 officers to inform their development. The police leavers toolkit is part of a wider police leavers programme being led by the NPWS to support the Police Covenant. The Police Covenant, supported by the Home Office is intended to ensure that officers, staff, volunteers and their families are not disadvantaged as a result of their service.
Our research has highlighted that planning for retirement or leaving the service needs to take place well before officers notify the organisation of their intention to leave and retire. There are a number of resilience factors that need to be developed to ensure individuals wellbeing during and beyond retirement. The tools provided in our programmes help participants proactively manage the process of retirement. Officers are able to prepare for the next phase of life by finding a new sense of meaning and purpose, by utilising existing strengths and coping strategies. During their careers police officers have amassed a large range of skills, experience and achievements, yet it can be challenging to translate these in a way that is ‘marketable’ to other careers and industries. Our programmes and resources supports those retiring to understand their values, motivations and transferable skills to be able to market themselves to future employers.
