Benefits & Wellness

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The City of Bend Police Department offers a comprehensive benefits package, in addition to a very competitive salary range, and values the wellness of all its employees.

Learn more about our Wellness programs:

On-Site Therapist

Our agency hired a therapist who works up to 10 hours per week at the Bend Police Department. The therapist does not have a set schedule and spends time doing ride-alongs with officers, checking in with staff around the police department, attending trainings with police, and being present and available as a resource for staff members. The therapist also provides education and support for identified physical and mental health problems. This service is offered as a way to provide ongoing behavioral health support and education to employees to acquire appropriate services based on individual needs. Our therapist does minimal counseling and refers staff members to the appropriate resources, and all information is confidential.

Workouts

In 2023, the Bend Police Department began offering all members, including nonsworn staff, up to four hours each week (one hour per shift) for wellness workouts. This does not require trading breaks or lunches - this hour is considered on-duty training time. We have scheduled times for patrol teams to do team workouts when there is shift coverage.

Team workouts encourage cohesiveness, teamwork, relationship building, and motivation. Employees can choose to do individual workouts instead of team workouts for an hour-long period during their shifts if staffing allows. This program is voluntary and employees do not have to participate.

Yoga

The Bend Police Department offers yoga four days out of an eight-day time period. We have contracted yoga instructors who are paid through our training division budget. Yoga has helped our employees reduce stress while improving muscle strength and flexibility. Our agency has noticed a reduction in injuries since we implemented yoga. This program is voluntary, and employees do not have to participate.

The John Lawrence Project

This program was created in memory of Sergeant John Lawrence, who passed away due to a medical issue. Our training division created a comprehensive health screening program that we conduct every other year to address cardiac health, diet, sleep, injury prevention, and mental health. The program has conducted sleep study and evaluation, a physical function screening, PTSD screening, blood screening, cardiac health and more. The idea is to have first responders physically and mentally resilient. The combination of dangerous situations, shift work, poor diet, high stress, and traumatic experiences contribute to high mortality and heart disease. Many of these conditions are preventable, so we aim to test for medical issues for awareness and prevention, and to promote a healthier lifestyle.

Restorative Rest

This program was designed to allow officers working night shifts to have a restorative resting period during breaks and includes the option of their lunch break, for up to one hour total. Officers are required to contact their direct supervisor to obtain approval for resting in lieu of their lunch or paid breaks, updating their status with our dispatch center as “admin-unavailable for calls,” including their location, which must be at one of our substations or the Bend Police Department. The department policy also states officers must set an alarm, keep the ring volume on their phone loud enough to wake them, and remain at a level of readiness by removing no more than their duty belt and outer vest. Staying up all night is not natural, and we want officers to be thinking clearly and performing at their best.

Peer Support & Critical Incident Response Team

This team actively helps with training and assistance regarding critical incident stress management. The team is available for support, encouragement, or counseling if needed. Members are made up of chaplains, police officers, our therapist, and other staff members. The conversations are judgment-free and confidential. ORS 181A.835 protects employees with peer support counseling, deeming a session confidential and not disclosable to any person or judicial proceeding. This is another program providing resources or counseling to employees if needed.

Mindfulness

Officers deal with many stressors throughout a workday. The mindfulness program was designed to help officers reduce stress and be in a good mental state before returning home from work. Patrol teams commonly do mindfulness at the end of shift, gathering in a room at the agency for the final 15 minutes of our shift. We use a phone application that focuses on breathing, reflection, and being in the moment. After our session is completed, officers go home for the day. Mindfulness provides the benefits of easing anxiety, stress reduction, focus, and improves physical and mental health. This program is voluntary, and employees do not have to participate.

Mentorship

When a new officer is hired at the Bend Police Department, we assign a mentor officer to the new hire. During the training process, Police Training Officers (PTOs) evaluate, guide, and train the new officers. This program provides an additional resource for newly hired officers and peer support from a co-worker. This program helps acclimate a new officer into the new position at the Bend Police Department and helps teach them the culture of the agency.

Chaplaincy

We have a police chaplaincy program at the Bend Police Department. A police chaplain serves as a support system for law enforcement in times of crisis. A police chaplain supports officers with issues such as burnout, stress, trauma, etc., and also respond to police calls when a death occurs, assisting police with death notifications and supporting our agency and our staff with any life stressors or problems.

Spouses of Bend PD

This program was designed for spouses of Bend Police officers and employees to get accurate information and develop positive communication and relationships among the group. The spousal group arranges events such as picnics, hikes and family nights out to foster connections and interactions. A Facebook page was designed for communication purposes among all members. It’s common for spouses to discuss resources in the community and to provide recommendations for doctors, dentists, etc. This is an important program because spouses make the same sacrifices and are just as dedicated to this profession as the men and women of the agency.

Employee Assistance Program

This is an employee assistance program that helps employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact job performance, health, mental and emotional wellbeing. These counselors are independent and have no ties to the Bend Police Department. All Bend Police employees are provided a phone number for EAP counselors. EAP counselors offer free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services for employees. EAP offers a variety of support programs to Bend Police employees.

Benefits

The City of Bend Police Department considers its employees the number one asset and have a wide range of benefits for employees.

Proficiency Incentive Program (PIP): Currently 10% salary increase for DPSST Intermediate certificate or 15% salary increase for DPSST Advanced certificate
Community Enhancement Program (CEP): Successful participation in our new CEP carries an additional 2% pay incentive.
Specialty Positions: Premium pay incentives for specialty positions (FTO's, Traffic, CERT, etc.)
Language Fluency Incentive: Earn an additional $1.50/hour for proficiency in any language other than English.
Paid Time Off: Eligible employees have the ability to accrue up to 90 hours of compensatory time, in addition to applicable vacation and sick time.
Health Care: The City of Bend currently pays 90% of employee (and family) health, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
PORAC: Legal Defense Plan is provided for sworn employees and CSO's.
Innovative Wellness Program: Includes on-duty workout time, and programs designed to improve longevity and well-being such as yoga and mindfulness training.
Restorative Rest Program: Allows graveyard Patrol Officers and Supervisors a restorative resting period during their breaks, to include the option of their lunch break.
Career Enhancement Opportunities: Ability to enhance career through three-year rotational positions available for Detectives, Traffic, and SRO's.
Educational Reimbursement Program: Available through City of Bend.
Uniforms / Equipment: All uniforms and gear required for duty are provided, and uniformed employees receive a maintenance allowance of $30 per month.
Duty Boots: Reimbursement of $300 every two years for duty boot purchases.
BPD Association: The Bend Police Department has an excellent working relationship with its Association. Agreements are negotiated every three years.