The Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner is to double investment in occupational health support for police officers, staff and volunteers in Cheshire.
A new in-house occupational health service will see more money ploughed into psychological services support.
The force is to recruit a psychologist to work with a team of counsellors.
PCC David Keane says the new model will see waiting times reduced for psychological support and allow Cheshire Constabulary to adapt the support offered for frontline policing.
It will also see occupational health support offered at different locations with employees no longer having to travel to headquarters.
The plans have been given the seal of approval by both PCC David Keane and Chief Constable Darren Martland.
Mr Keane said: “The pressure being placed on all of our officers, staff and volunteers is increasing every day and the Covid-19 pandemic has only compounded this issue, placing an unprecedented demand on all of our departments.
“I have been humbled by the commitment our staff have shown to keeping us all safe whilst battling with a crisis which has not only touched our professional lives, but also our personal lives.
“I want to ensure there is the right support in place for not just physical health but also mental health to ensure everybody who works for Cheshire Constabulary is in the best possible shape to keep Cheshire safe.
“I have made this a top priority despite the ongoing financial pressures the Constabulary is facing.”
Chief constable Darren Martland added: “We want to make sure that when our officers and staff come to work they are the best they can be.
“This benefits both their own health and wellbeing and also helps them in their role of keeping the communities of Cheshire safe.
“I therefore welcome this extra investment from the police and crime commissioner, which will ensure that psychological support is more accessible across all of our local police stations.”
Chief superintendent Bill Dutton, chair of Cheshire Superintendents Association, added: “This investment and commitment demonstrates we care about our people and comes at a time when pressure on the service has continued to mount.
“We are fully supportive of appreciative of this decision.”
James Thompson, chair of Cheshire Police Federation, added: “Policing is a very unique position and officers are at high risk of experiencing psychological harm.
“Officers will often be exposed to more potentially traumatic situations and incidents in a week then some people may ever experience in their lifetime.
“This is in addition to those physical injuries officers suffer from physical injury as a result of the job they do.”
Joanne Moorcroft, branch secretary from Unison Cheshire Police Branch, added: “UNISON has long been a proponent of bringing the occupational health Unit in-house, and actively campaigned for this to happen.
“We have seen how well this model works in other police forces, and see it as an investment in the employees of Cheshire Constabulary, no matter what their role, level or location within the organisation.”
Another boxed ticked then