The Paradise Valley Police Department has partnered with a local technology company to provide law enforcement professionals - sworn officers and civilian - with life coaches.

PVPD Chief Peter Wingert introduced law enforcement coaching to the department nearly a year ago, according to a press release.

The intention was to provide an alternative, more approachable resource for officers dealing with stress both on and off the job but using the first online coaching platform.

A Phoenix-based startup is offering its services to the law enforcement community, and with promising results, the release said, noting a large part of the appeal to law enforcement is that many of the coaches have police and military backgrounds themselves.

Although life coaching is not a new concept, a retired detective who is a life coach, stated that clients are helped when they know that the coaches have “been in their shoes,” and “know what they’re going through,” the release said, describing how they can relate to them being a regular person just like them.

Since November 2019, PVPD personnel have had 72 one-on-one coaching sessions. Officers and department employees may use the service voluntarily, connecting with their coach via video chat from a smartphone or computer.

Sessions are done confidentially with no information or officer identity making it back to the department.

“This has been a great service for the department, and those that have chosen to use the service have benefitted from its use,” said Mr. Wingert in a prepared statement.

Various coaching topics are available through the online platform, including stress management, personal finance, relationships, health and wellness, the release said.

The release added that PVPD works with providers and will begin a new virtual group training seminar this month aimed at the stressors around COVID-19 and the public perceptions of policing.