The Independence Police Department won a national award this year for its comprehensive officer wellness program, Chief Robert Butler told the audience, attributing improved morale, recruitment and retention to a multipronged approach.

"My team and I just returned back from Washington DC where we received a national award for our comprehensive wellness program," Butler said, describing a program built around six pillars: physical, emotional, financial, officer safety, officer traffic safety and family supports.

Butler outlined investments in an on‑site wellness center with new machines and weights, a sauna and a cold plunge tub, and incentives for employees and spouses to participate. The department also adopted a progressive fitness policy that allows officers up to 75 minutes of exercise per 12‑hour shift, the chief said.

Mental‑health supports include an expanded peer‑support team, mandatory confidential clinical check‑ins, equine and other therapies and intensive crisis intervention training. Butler said those steps have contributed to higher recruitment and, he added, "we have a 100% retention of our officers."

Butler also showed recent enforcement videos, including multiple DUI incidents and a head‑on crash caused by a wrong‑way driver suspected of fentanyl impairment. He said officers used multiple doses of Narcan to revive one overdose victim and credited the fire department for on‑scene assistance.

"To receive a Destination 0 Award for comprehensive wellness, it's an absolute honor and a privilege," Butler said, calling the award proof the department is "on the right track." He urged residents to notice officers' presence and report safety concerns to neighbors and officials.

Speakers quoted in this article:
- Robert Butler, Police Chief
- Greg Kurtz, Mayor (contextual references)

Clarifying details:
- Independence Police staffing: 38 sworn officers plus part‑time and civilian staff (as stated in the video montage)
- Population served (city figure used in briefing): about 7,600 residents, with daytime population more than doubling due to commuters
- Wellness policy: up to 75 minutes of exercise per 12‑hour shift
- Award: Destination 0 Award for the department's Officer Traffic Safety Program and a national award for comprehensive wellness (reported by Chief Butler)

Proper names:
- Independence Police Department (agency)
- Destination 0 Award (award/program)

Community relevance:
- Geographies: Independence citywide, Rockside/Rexville corridors (locations of shown incidents)
- Impact groups: sworn officers and their families; residents affected by traffic enforcement and overdose responses

Searchable_tags:["police_wellness","public_safety","Destination_0","traffic_enforcement" ]

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Salience:{"overall":0.72,"overall_justification":"A national award and officer wellness investments affect staffing, community policing and public safety operations.","impact_scope":"local","impact_scope_justification":"Direct operational impact on city policing; local residents experience outcomes through enforcement and response.