The mental health challenges facing police officers in America's suburban departments deserve just as much attention as those in major metropolitan forces. Deputy Director of Public Safety, Brad Petersen of Minnesota's Cottage Grove Police Department pulls back the curtain on what he describes as an "average" American police agency - not too urban, not too rural, with officers handling just 5-10 calls per shift.

In these relatively safe communities, officers face a unique psychological challenge: maintaining vigilance without succumbing to complacency. "Because our community is so safe, it's easy to get lulled into a false sense of security where we drop our guard and fail to recognize potential dangers," Peterson explains. This balancing act creates its own form of stress that compounds the universal challenges officers face.

The statistics are sobering. While the average American experiences 4-7 traumatic incidents in their lifetime, police officers encounter 200-400 over a 20-year career. This cumulative trauma contributes to suicide rates among retired officers that are twice the national average. Cottage Grove has responded with a comprehensive wellness program including mental health training, counseling, peer support, canine therapy, and chaplain services.

Today's officers also navigate increasingly complex use-of-force situations and societal issues beyond traditional law enforcement. When asked what he wishes the public understood about policing, Peterson's answer was simple but profound: "Officers are humans and we're not perfect. We're trying to do the best we can... a little grace and forgiveness would be awesome."

Recorded during National Police Week, this conversation offers vital perspective on the humans behind the badges in America's most typical police departments. Subscribe to First Response for more stories that take you behind the scenes of modern policing and the real challenges facing those who serve.