Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced the launch of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Wellness & Resiliency Grant, a statewide initiative providing $500,000 in 2026 to support wellness programs for police officers, civilian staff, retirees, and their families. The grant program is managed by the Office of Policing Strategy & Innovation (OPSI), which was established in 2024 to advance policing standards and officer wellness in partnership with law enforcement leaders.
Individual police agencies may apply for up to $50,000 to expand mental health and wellness services. Eligible uses include counseling, physical fitness programs, annual wellness screenings, therapy animals, upgrades to wellness spaces, financial literacy initiatives, and other activities aimed at improving agency personnel wellbeing.
The funding comes entirely from legal settlements rather than taxpayer funds. Attorney General Platkin stated that resources obtained from corporate misconduct should be used to benefit New Jersey communities and law enforcement officers.
“New Jersey has the finest law enforcement officers in the nation, men and women who serve with courage, professionalism, and deep commitment to their communities,” said Attorney General Platkin. “But that commitment comes with exposure to trauma, repeated high-stress situations, and the pressures of a profession where asking for help has not always been easy. Through OPSI, we have been listening to law enforcement leaders, visiting agencies doing innovative wellness work, and responding quickly to what they told us they need. This new Wellness & Resiliency Grant is a direct result of those conversations. It’s an investment in the people who keep our residents safe, and a recognition that supporting our officers, from hire to retire, is essential for attracting and retaining the next generation of public-safety professionals.”
The grant program was developed following OPSI’s Law Enforcement Leadership Roundtables focused on wellness and resiliency. Police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, and union leaders highlighted the importance of normalizing help-seeking behavior among officers.
Professions such as emergency medical providers have worked over time to reduce stigma around mental health challenges and related stressors. However, within law enforcement there remains significant stigma about seeking mental health support. The Attorney General emphasized that changing this culture is necessary for recruiting qualified officers and improving long-term outcomes.
“OPSI was established to better support the needs of New Jersey’s law enforcement community and the mission of the Attorney General,” said Executive Director Abbassi. “We know that supporting officer wellness is not optional. This grant will give individual agencies the ability to create a customized approach to improving the wellbeing of their employees which, ultimately, strengthens the connection between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
Departments noted for innovative approaches include Paterson Police Department with wellness walks and K-9-based stress reduction; Newark Police Department with a dedicated wellness unit; Evesham Police Department’s annual check-ins; and Gloucester Township Police Department’s department-wide programming.
Agencies can apply for funding for services such as counseling or mental health care; resilience training; therapy animals; creation or renovation of wellness spaces; technology related to wellness; financial literacy programs; or peer-support events.
This initiative aligns with Attorney General Platkin’s commitment to modern policing practices centered on both officer welfare and community service. Application information can be found through official channels.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin serves as a state agency responsible for legal oversight across all counties in New Jersey. Its functions include enforcing laws statewide—such as this new grant program—and providing services like legal representation for state entities as well as consumer protection efforts (https://www.njoag.gov/). The office also works broadly on public safety matters throughout New Jersey (https://www.njoag.gov/).
