Stone, McElroy & Associates

10/27/2025

🧠 Mental Health Monday! The Power of the Pause

In public safety, the mission is constant—serve, protect, respond. But in between the calls, the reports, and the long shifts, it’s vital to take a moment to pause.

That pause isn’t weakness—it’s maintenance. It’s how we check in with ourselves, reset our minds, and make sure we can keep showing up for others at our best. Whether it’s a few deep breaths before the next call, a quick walk after shift, or talking through a tough moment with a trusted teammate—those small steps matter.

Remember: caring for your mental health is part of caring for your community. When you take time to recover, you strengthen your resilience and the safety net we all depend on.

This week, give yourself permission to pause. You’ve earned it—and it makes a difference.

10/27/2025

10/24/2025

Patience and Care

A community member called us for guidance after a non-emergency incident and Officer McAuley responded to help.

“I wanted to take a moment to extend my praise and deep gratitude to Officer McAuley for going above and beyond in his duties. Officer McAuley took my statement, explained the situation from a law enforcement standpoint, and responded with empathy as I expressed how scared and uncertain I felt,” the person said.

“He provided gracious and clear guidance on how he could proceed and then contacted the other parties in an effort to settle the situation lawfully. Importantly, he informed the individual that he was not to contact me further, after which the unwanted messages stopped. Officer McAuley also went out of his way to review the initial scene and later called me personally to reassure me that I had interpreted the law correctly and that his report would reflect what I had described.

“In a moment of panic and confusion, he met me where I was emotionally and helped me understand the legal and practical dynamics at play — something he certainly was not required to do, but chose to with patience and care. His actions were remarkable and distinguishable, and I would love for this commendation to reach the right people so that Officer McAuley can be recognized for his outstanding work in this situation, and no doubt many others based on the character he displayed. Thank you for your time and for the service your department provides.”

Keep up the good work, Officer McAuley!

10/23/2025

We love a good family-friendly trunk or treat!

Join RPD and RFD for their annual Trunk or Treat at Roswell City Hall for candy, games, candy, cool police cars and fire trucks, candy, and music! Oh, and did we mention candy?! 🎃👻🧟‍♂️🦇
4:00-7:00pm
Roswell City Hall
38 Hill St., Roswell GA 30075

09/30/2025

☕👮‍♂️ Did someone say pumpkin spice and community pride?!

This Wednesday, October 1st is National Coffee with a Cop Day!

Swing by your favorite spot, grab that pumpkin spice latte, and take a few minutes to chat with your local officers. It’s the perfect blend of warm coffee and warmer connections. 💛

The first Wednesday in October is National Coffee with a Cop Day.
Wednesday, October 1, our ☕“Coffee with a Cop”☕ will be hosted by Just Love Coffee Café.
We hope you can join us for coffee and conversation from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Just Love Coffee Café 1851 Market St. Ste H104, Douglasville, GA 30135
For questions, please contact Sgt. Shannon Dean at 678.293.1621 or deans@douglasvillega.gov

09/29/2025

09/12/2025

From Marie Owens, the first policewoman with arrest powers (Chicago, 1891) to Alice Stebbins Wells, the first American‑born policewoman (LAPD, 1910), women have long been part of the thin blue line. Yet today they still comprise only about 10–12 % of officers and barely 3 % of police executives.

That’s why initiatives like the 30×30 pledge—aiming for 30 % female representation by 2030—are so important!

So here’s to every woman in uniform proving that a polished ponytail fits perfectly under a patrol cap. Let’s keep recruiting, promoting, and supporting these leaders until they’re no longer the exception but the norm.

09/11/2025

We Remember. We Honor. We Stand United.

Today, on September 11, we pause to honor the lives lost, the heroes who ran toward danger, and the resilience of a nation that stood strong in the face of tragedy.

We remember the first responders who gave everything without hesitation, the families who carry the weight of that day, and the countless acts of courage and kindness that continue to inspire us.

May we never forget the importance of unity, compassion, and service to others.

🕯️ In memory of all we lost, and in honor of all who continue to serve.

09/10/2025

🌐 Spotlight: IACP Officer Wellness Dashboard

Navigating officer wellness laws can feel like beating a maze under pressure. That’s why the IACP Officer Wellness Dashboard is a game-changer. This interactive, state-by-state tool lets agencies easily find:

-Peer Support Confidentiality Protections

-Mental Health & PTSD Worker’s Compensation

-Current Wellness Training Mandates

Simply select your state and topic, and a color-coded map pops up with direct links and clear details—no legal degree needed.

Every state frames wellness policy differently. This dashboard saves time, clarifies complexity, and empowers agencies to build stronger, more resilient teams.

Take a proactive step for your team’s well-being—explore the dashboard today, and be the leader who keeps care simple, supportive, and strategic.

“The IACP Officer Wellness Dashboard provides an easy-to-use database designed specifically for policing professionals to find officer wellness–related legislation and training mandates.”
— IACP@Work via Police Chief Magazine

Explore the tool here: https://www.theiacp.org/resources/document/officer-wellness-dashboard-legislative-protections-training-requirements

Because informed policy = stronger officers.

09/09/2025

😴🚨 for First Responders 🚨😴

Long nights, early mornings, back-to-back shifts—sound familiar? Sleep can be one of the hardest things to protect in public safety work, but it’s also one of the most powerful tools you’ve got.

Here are a few expert-backed strategies from Dr. Glenn Landry on the Better Every Shift podcast:

✅ Build a “sleep window” — Go to bed and wake up at the same times, even on days off, to anchor your body clock.
✅ Protect that window — Treat sleep like a meeting with your life on the line. Lights off, devices away, environment cool and quiet.
✅ Nap strategically — Short naps before or during long shifts can sharpen alertness.
✅ Sleep is a team sport — Support your coworkers’ rest patterns, and ask them to support yours.

💡 Better sleep means better performance, sharper decision-making, and stronger mental health.

🎧 New Better Every Shift episodes drop every Thursday—tune in for more real-life wellness advice from experts and first responders.

Let’s keep our communities safe by keeping ourselves strong. 💙

09/08/2025

Strong communities start with strong first responders—and that strength begins with mental health.

The Colorado POST-approved Peer Support Academy is back Sept 15–19 in Berthoud, CO. This 40-hour training is led by seasoned frontline responders and clinicians, and it’s open to all badges, all uniforms, all scrubs.

🧠 What’s covered?
✔ Stress management & burnout prevention
✔ Crisis intervention strategies
✔ Suicide-prevention tools
✔ Building emotional resilience & peer support

💡 Why it matters: First responders face challenges most can’t imagine. Having trained peer supporters inside agencies ensures no one fights their battles alone.

⚠️ Seats are limited—so early registration is highly recommended! Encourage your agency to send personnel and invest in resilience that saves lives both on and off the job.

👉 Enroll now and learn more here: https://911overwatch.org/40-hour-academy-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com