When Placer County Sheriff’s Office recently launched PeerConnect to strengthen the employee wellness program, it was a move driven by both personal experience and the commitment to provide their members with better mental health support. Lieutenant Jason Davis, who leads the department’s employee wellness efforts, played a pivotal role in this initiative. His story, one marked by profound personal tragedy and resilience, has shaped his belief in the need for robust support systems for law enforcement officers.
In 1988, Jason’s father, a deputy with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, was killed in the line of duty. Years later, his younger brother took his own life while Jason was in the academy, and in 2014, his older brother—also a deputy—was killed on the same day as their father, marking an unimaginable loss for Jason and his family. Through these tragedies, Jason found navigating the employee assistance program daunting and the lack of quality resources.
This lack of resources led Jason down a difficult path of depression and anxiety, impacting both his career and personal life. After years of struggle, and with the help of counseling, he emerged from this dark period. By 2020, he was promoted to lieutenant and given the responsibility of leading the employee wellness program. His mission was clear: ensure that his fellow officers would not have to suffer in silence as he did.
Revamping the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
One of the first issues Jason addressed was improving the EAP. The previous system, which paired officers with counselors who were also treating public works and sanitation employees, was not suited to handle the unique traumas experienced by law enforcement. Under Jason’s leadership, the department began working with a network of counselors trained in first responder trauma, creating a much more relevant and effective support system.
However, it was a chance encounter with PeerConnect that would strengthen the employee wellness program. Initially skeptical, Jason took a cold call from the company and quickly realized that the platform offered solutions to the very issues he had faced during his lowest moments. After thorough vetting, PeerConnect was integrated into the department’s wellness program.
PeerConnect offers several valuable features that have been embraced by the department. One of its most powerful components is the ability for officers to customize their peer support teams. Traditionally, peer support was limited to a list of available personnel, but with PeerConnect, officers can now choose specific colleagues they trust and feel comfortable with. This customization ensures that when an officer seeks help, they receive support from people they personally selected.
The app also provides access to physical wellness and nutritional resources, areas that have been critical in Jason’s own recovery. He uses the app to share daily workouts, nutrition tips, and motivational content with his colleagues, fostering a culture of holistic wellness.
Perhaps most importantly, PeerConnect has streamlined access to mental health resources for the department, including the revamped EAP. In the past, navigating the system was nearly impossible, but now, with a few clicks, officers can connect to services designed specifically for them.
Positive Reception and Challenges
The introduction of PeerConnect has been met with positivity. Officers have praised its ease of use, particularly in navigating the EAP and building peer support networks. However, as with any new system, there have been some skeptics. Jason and his team have responded by encouraging even the most reluctant members to download the app—not for themselves, but to assist others who might need help.
Looking ahead, Jason hopes to expand PeerConnect’s reach beyond the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. His vision includes building a regional peer support network where neighboring law enforcement agencies can share resources and offer mutual support during critical incidents. With more deputies joining the department’s peer support team and increasing engagement with PeerConnect, Jason is confident that this tool will continue to grow as an integral part of the department’s culture.
Jason’s journey—from loss and darkness to leadership and healing—has shaped his passion for wellness in law enforcement. PeerConnect is now a key part of his mission to ensure that no officer faces trauma alone. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is not only enhancing its wellness program but also setting an example of what proactive mental health support can look like in law enforcement.
Through PeerConnect, the department is giving its officers the tools they need to stay strong, both mentally and physically, in a demanding and often traumatic profession.
Learn more about PeerConnect.