ABOUT SAFE CALL NOW

Safe Call Now was established in April of 2009 in the hopes that no other officer, first responder or public safety employee should have to walk through a crisis alone. Sean Riley, Founder and Executive Director, threw away his 20+ year career as a stellar police officer due to alcohol and drug addiction and was headed towards suicide to become another unknown statistic. Riley decided to do something about it. From his own experience, he knew that law enforcement wanted to come forward to get help, but due to the stigma attached they would not. Admitting to a substance abuse problem is perceived as a sign of weakness and results in a loss of career. Many officers have the perception that addiction is something you only encounter on the streets during a drug bust or an arrest; however, it has been estimated through multiple studies that abuse and addiction among law enforcement officers runs somewhere between 20-25%. This figure is twice the national average of the general population.

Law enforcement takes an emotional toll on members of our honorable profession. We are human beings who are put into some unthinkable situations performing a frustrating duty for a demanding public. The downside of our career brings out many emotional and mental health issues in our co-workers and peers. Many first responders face similar personal issues and problems as the public we serve. Safe Call Now works collectively with a variety of unions, elected officials, public safety groups and various mental health and substance abuse professionals from around the nation.

Family and relationship issues, marital discord or divorce, financial pressures, a recent loss of a loved one are some of issues we face on top of carrying out our policing duties. The down-side is that some of our brothers and sisters are suffering from depression, post- traumatic distress, addiction problems (alcohol, prescription drugs, food, gambling or compulsive spending etc…) We observe these weaknesses in our peers while they tend to isolate themselves and pass off to the world that everything is ok. The reality is they are dying inside emotionally and many of these folks don’t know what to do. We are society’s problem solvers but sometimes our pride and fear of others’ opinions get the best of us.

Safe Call Now provides public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide with a simple and confidential way to ask for help. Staffed by officers, former law enforcement officers and public safety professionals, Safe Call Now is a safe place to turn to get help from individuals who understand the demands of a law enforcement career. These trained call-takers will provide assistance and referrals for any public safety personnel and their families who are experiencing an emotional crisis or desire a need for someone to listen.

Legislation was passed in 2009 which maintains confidentiality for public safety professionals nationwide when they call Safe Call Now for help. Safe Call Now is also a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is not funded at the state or federal levels.