What we've been up to
Oscar Kilo conference and awards 2024
Last week we were proud to host our annual conference and awards ceremony, championing and celebrating wellbeing in policing.
The conference – which allowed wellbeing practitioners, occupational health, HR leads, OK9 handlers and Operation Hampshire leads to come together to share best practice and new initiatives – covered topics including suicide prevention, the wellbeing impact of this summer’s disorder across the country, and the difference that compassionate, thorough support can make for women experiencing the menopause.
Speakers included Gamal 'G' Tawara, who won a BAFTA for his short film ‘The Black Cop’, and Nigel Levitt, Trauma Lead for the Metropolitan Police Service, whose work has seen him deployed in support of investigations including the London bombings in 2005 and the Salisbury poisonings in 2018.
Sessions included a update on the national picture on suicide, lead by our delivery manager, Claire Long, Claire was joined by Emma Burke Head of Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing who shared Gloucestershire’s approach to suicide pre and postvention.
The conference also saw a panel session with Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, Chair of the National Police Chief’s Council, and Andy Rhodes OBE, Service Director at Oscar Kilo, which focused on making the wellbeing of police officers and staff a national strategic priority.
To emphasise the work being done to support the Police Covenant, delegates received details on the resources available to support police families, including the recently launched families toolkit. The toolkit is a resource for forces to use who want to deepen their relationship with the family of officers and staff and create more opportunities to engage with them directly.
They were also updated us on the work we are doing to support individuals leaving policing. Encouraging forces to use both the Leavers Guide and the newly launched “Identity” film, to better support those leaving the service. There will be more guidance issued to forces regarding best practice in Spring 2025.
Breakout sessions
During the conference we held smaller breakout sessions for our member groups: psychologists and counsellors; occupational health practitioners; OK9 dog handlers and Operation Hampshire SPOCS; for individuals working in these areas to get together and share learning and best practice.
One of these was our first dedicated breakout space for those undertaking psychological and counselling services which saw some inspirational presentations on resilience training and the benefits of Flint House inpatient services by City of London Police Mental Health team, and insight into Strength in Being Blue and Watch my Six campaigns by Humberside police counselling team. This session was rounded up with a group discussion on therapist wellbeing during major incidents. It was a great opportunity for therapists working in forces to get together and discuss the work we do.
The Oscar Kilo Awards
The Oscar Kilo Awards – this year hosted at the conference in Crewe – were created to recognise some of the commendable work that has been done, and continues to be done, to provide wellbeing support across policing in the United Kingdom.
The awards were presented at a gala dinner by two of the judges, NPWS Service Director Andy Rhodes OBE QPM and Linda Hindle OBE FFPH, Lead Allied Health Professional and National Engagement Lead for Emergency Services, Department of Health and Social Care.
Award winners included Nottinghamshire Police for their support for people on maternity leave, and Lincolnshire Police for their great outdoors project which combined volunteering and outdoors activity to add value for staff to support their communities whilst improving their own mental health.
You can find a full breakdown of the award winners and runners up, including details of the initiatives and programmes on our Awards page.
'Identity' our new film is now available to use
We are proud to announce the release of Identity, the third film in our groundbreaking series focused on mental health and wellbeing for police officers and staff. For the first time, all three films in the series—Purpose, Meaning, and Identity—are now available to view publicly via the Oscar Kilo YouTube channel.
These films have been developed to encourage officers and staff to reflect on their own experiences, spark conversations about wellbeing, and highlight the support available to them. Until now, access to the films has been restricted to carefully facilitated sessions within forces. By making the series accessible to a wider audience, Oscar Kilo aims to further its mission of breaking down stigma and encouraging open discussions about the unique challenges faced in policing.
Deeply rooted in the lived experiences of police officers and staff, these films have been developed through extensive interviews with officers, psychologists, and experts and offer an authentic portrayal of the challenges faced at different stages of a policing career. The themes also reflect findings from the national police wellbeing surveys, ensuring they are relatable and address real issues identified by those working in the service.
The films also touch the key focus areas of the Police Covenant which is all about the impact of ‘the job’ on officers and staff, their families and what happens when they are thinking about leaving.
'Identity'
‘Identity’ tells the story of Roopa, a Family Liaison Officer approaching retirement, as she navigates the emotional complexities of this transition and reflects on her career. The film delves into the impact of policing on personal identity and wellbeing during this pivotal stage in someone’s life.
Bluelight live alcohol experiment
For the third year we are proud to support the Live Alcohol experiment initiative developed by former Chief Superintendent Maria Fox and now led by Inspector Irene Laycock from GMP. If you are looking to reduce your alcohol intake or just want to do dry January there's still time to get involved just check out our webpage.
Go to Bluelight live alcohol experiment
OK9 dogs support police communicators
Some of our OK9 dogs from South Yorkshire Police attended the Association of Police Communications Conference at the end of November. The dogs and their handlers were there to offer support, cuddles, and a way of offloading after the delegates were subject to some intense sessions. Below is OK9 dog Ken who attended with his handler Jen.
In January we will be leading a lunch and learn session for APComm members to introduce our wellbeing resources to police staff and those in communications roles.
OK9 Christmas colouring sheet
Did you know we have a range of OK9 activities for children, check out these downloadable colouring and activity sheets using the link below, kindly provided to us by PC Cathy Veale from Devon, Cornwall and Dorset Police Alliance.
In time for the festive period we've just added a new Christmas colouring sheet.
Download OK9 Christmas colouring sheet
Bereavement counselling service for all forces
Last year we partnered with 'Just B' to provide police forces with access to free, specialist bereavement counselling services and this service is still available.
If a serving officer or member of staff should tragically die in the execution of their duties or by suicide – this counselling service is available to the officer or staff members’ family and their immediate colleagues.
While some forces already have great support in place, we have provided this as an option for those organisations who either do not yet have anything available or wish to build on what they already offer.
Find out how to access this support using the link below.
Bereavement counselling service for all forces
What's coming soon
Blue light mental health symposium
In January we are proud to be supporting the National Fire Chief's Council with the 2025 annual collaborative Blue Light Mental Health Symposium.
Building on previous years they have an informed, immersive programme lined up, focusing on three key areas: culture, family support and suicide prevention and will be made up of a mixture of keynote speakers, workshops and interactive sessions. Some key programme highlights are listed below:
- Culture panel sessions including cultural change journeys and experiences
- Creating cultural factors for wellbeing and resilience
- Family support sessions including; Building family support looking at evidence based police research with the Open University, engagement with families and challenges and The Fire Fighters Charity Relate and Hugs at Home scheme.
- Suicide prevention – expert panel – Data-enabled change; what are recent trials and research telling us, and how can we enact positive change as a result
- Suicide prevention and postvention break out sessions – Prevention; Organisational response and postvention; Individual and community impact
The symposium takes place on 14th January 2025 in Birmingham, for more information check out their website
Blue light mental health symposium
Sleep fatigue recovery rollout
Over the past two years, Oscar Kilo we have been working with Merseyside Police, Liverpool John Moores University and international subject matter experts to develop a programme which harnesses the latest in biometric technology, data solutions and online learning.
It is a 120-day programme which helps officers and staff build a unique and personalised view of their sleep, fatigue and recovery levels.
In the new year we will be telling you more about the roll out of this work. If you wish to know more check out or webpage.
Sleep, fatigue and recovery biometrics programme
Fatigue risk management guidance for policing
We are currently finalising a new fatigue risk management guidance toolkit for policing.
This toolkit has been developed to;
- Assist workers, supervisors, and senior leaders in policing to understand the impact of fatigue.
- Provide guidance on reducing the likelihood of fatigue and minimising the impact of fatigue.
- Ensure health, safety, and welfare, by eliminating or mitigating workplace risks associated with fatigue, wherever possible.
We are aiming to get this toolkit live in January 2025.