By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | May 11, 2026
NJ Attorney General Jennifer Davenport awarded a $39,295 wellness and resiliency grant to the Montgomery Police Department during the Excellence in Policing Awards Ceremony in Trenton on May 7. Montgomery was one of 15 police departments statewide that earned recognition.
“These award recipients represent the highest standards of professionalism, service, and integrity in law enforcement,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Their work reflects a deep commitment to protecting the public while strengthening trust within the communities they serve. At the same time, our continued investment in officer wellness ensures that those who serve are supported with the resources they need to remain healthy, resilient, and effective.”
The grant program is administered by the Attorney General’s Office of Policing Strategy & Innovation (OPSI), which was created in 2024 to promote excellence in policing and officer wellness throughout New Jersey law enforcement agencies. The program received 155 applications requesting funding. Fifteen agencies were selected to receive a total of $500,000 to support officer wellness, mental health services, and resiliency initiatives.
Funded initiatives through the program include wellness spaces, mental health services, peer support programs, wellness technology, and family support resources for law enforcement officers.
The grant will support the implementation of the Montgomery Township Police Department Wellness Initiative, a comprehensive program focused on strengthening officer wellness, resiliency, and recovery resources for both sworn officers and civilian staff.
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Grant funding will enable the Montgomery Police Department to provide onsite access to physical wellness and recovery resources, including fitness equipment necessary to support stress reduction, physical conditioning, injury prevention, and recovery from the cumulative physical and mental demands associated with law enforcement work. The investment is especially significant given the department’s current lack of a dedicated wellness facility.
In addition to physical wellness resources, the grant will fund professional mental health and resiliency services designed to provide structured and confidential support for department personnel. These services include an annual procurement contract for licensed mental health counselor availability to ensure routine, confidential counseling access throughout the grant period.
The funding also includes Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) services to provide timely and structured support following traumatic or high-stress incidents. Department-wide wellness and resiliency group sessions will further support stress management, peer support, and resilience-building initiatives across the agency. Additionally, funding has been allocated for mental health screening tools and clinician coordination to assist with effective service delivery and appropriate referrals when needed.
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These contracted services are intended to ensure the police department can provide consistent, professional mental health support and effectively implement its wellness initiative without relying on informal or ad hoc arrangements.
Chief Silvio Bet said the award reflects the department’s commitment to supporting the overall well-being of its personnel.
“Policing places tremendous physical and emotional demands on officers and civilian staff alike,” said Chief Bet. “This grant allows us to build a structured wellness program that prioritizes both physical and mental health, provides meaningful support resources, and helps ensure our personnel remain healthy, resilient, and prepared to serve the community."
Bet added, "We are grateful to the Attorney General’s Office for recognizing the importance of officer wellness and investing in programs that support those who serve. Officer wellness ensures that those who serve are supported with the resources they need to remain healthy, resilient, and effective.”
