Jeffersonville Police Department brings in mobile unit to focus on officer wellness

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- Police officers face dangerous situations daily, from volatile standoffs to high-speed chases. But this week, the Jeffersonville Police Department is focusing on something new: the wellness of its officers.

Behind the doors of a trailer in the parking lot of the department, officers are receiving much-needed health checks through a mobile medical unit provided by National Diagnostic Services. a Michigan-based organization. Inside the unit, a full team of medical professionals provides health screenings and evaluations aimed at detecting potential health problems that may affect officers' well-being.

The mobile clinic, complete with exam rooms, brings the convenience of a doctor's office directly to the police department's parking lot.

Lt. Col. Michael McVoy, assistant chief of the Jeffersonville Police Department, said officers in the region have faced a particularly busy few years. From the tragic death of a man following a standoff in August 2023 to high-speed chases and arrests, the stress on officers has increased.

"This region stays busy, no different than any other parts of the country," McVoy said. "Whether it's a barricaded subject or a traffic stop that turns into a pursuit, critical incidents have become more common."

The pressure of these situations has a lasting effect on officers.

"It takes a toll on them physically. It takes a toll on them mentally," McVoy said. "We wanted to find ways to better support our officers."

The Jeffersonville Police Department launched an officer wellness unit several years ago, which led to the collaboration with NDS Labs. NDS provides advanced medical testing that can be crucial for identifying health risks often unseen in police officers.

"We're bringing physicians and advanced testing to where people work," said Michael Ketslakh, a representative from NDS.

Ketslakh highlighted the importance of these screenings, noting that police officers are at a higher risk for cardiac issues, despite often being asymptomatic.

"In the general population, the average age for a cardiac event is 65," Ketslakh said. "For police officers, that age is 49."

Thanks to the program, officers are receiving these screenings free of charge, with all expenses covered by federal forfeiture funds.

"We were using all federal forfeiture funds, which we were allowed to do, from cases seized years ago," McVoy said.

These health screenings are a critical step in addressing the long-term health of officers who face high-stress situations regularly. McVoy said the wellness unit is part of a broader effort to support officers throughout their careers.

"It's a total wellness approach for the officers and it's up to them to use it to continue a long career," McVoy said.

The mobile unit will remain at the Jeffersonville Police Department until Friday afternoon, offering health screenings to officers, reinforcing the department's commitment to the physical and mental well-being of its team.

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