Odds are, the only agency training you received on the topic of money was HR Day. You know, when you were first hired and did the paperwork for payroll and benefits? Do you remember what you signed up for and why? Perhaps your parents, academy peers, or a fellow officer (instructor) guided you or suggested different selections were a good idea?

Thankfully, Officer Wellness programs have been increasing in popularity throughout the country. But in the eyes of our experienced professionals who are uniquely focused on serving police, one pillar continues to fall short in most all agency wellness teachings. PERSONAL FINANCE.

Few programs are designed by people who are formally educated and have knowledge of police work. In many ways, years of general distrust for the public have held the police profession back from receiving qualified guidance from outsiders, but what professional credentials and real-life experience do your agency insiders have on this topic?

Criminal Justice (CJ) students understand that there’s a subculture within police work; it’s heavily researched by academia. CJ curriculums don’t generally have components of accounting and finance, and your profession is also typically one of youth, with few life lessons concerning finances before employment.