Cedar Park Police Chief Gets His Team Mentally Fit

Cedar Park Police Chief Sean Mannix is taking his officers’ health seriously, and not just their physical health.

Mannix has created a wellness program to help his officers’ improve their overall well-being. His program focuses on the mental and emotional health of his team.

“Historically, we’ve worked on physical fitness without worrying too much about cognitive skills,” Mannix said in a statement to Hill Country News.

According to the NCSL, more than 50 percent of police officers show signs of heart disease. Mannix’s program is looking to get those numbers down by implementing the comprehensive wellness program. After national events have headlined officers using excessive force, Mannix is hoping to combat that narrative by giving his officers the tools to handle high-tension situations.

“We want to give them the tools they need to be the best,” he said. “We’re producing the most professional, dedicated officers we can, and we’re looking to make them even better.”

Mannix partnered with Dr. Joe Serio to conduct cognitive training. The police will attend mandatory and voluntary courses throughout the year, and the department will ensure that all new officers go through the required training.

Officers will still be required to keep up with the physical training needs as well. Cardiologist and Cedar Park officer Dr. Jon Sheinberg will monitor each officer’s heart health with the Cedar Park Police Department.