(From Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly)

One of my goals when I became Chief was to bring the idea of wellness and resiliency to the men and women of the Tiffin Police Department. Over the years, we’ve made great strides in supporting the mental, physical, financial and emotional health of our officers. But one piece that was still missing was family – the people who stand beside and behind our officers every day, through every shift, every call, and every challenge.

A few months ago, Amanda Beutler, wife of Tiffin Officer Steve Beutler, approached me with an idea to start a family support group made up of spouses, partners, parents, siblings, and loved ones of Tiffin Officers. That idea has now come to life as “Tiffin PD Hearts Behind the Badge.”

The job of a law enforcement officer is often stressful, demanding, and dangerous. But what many people don’t see is how that lifestyle and culture affect more than just the officer. The families who love and support them carry part of that burden too. They feel the late nights, the missed holidays, and the emotional weight of the job. Their strength and understanding are vital to the overall wellness of the department.

I had the pleasure of meeting with the group last evening to thank them for their unwavering support and to listen to ideas on how Tiffin PD can, in turn, support them. Beyond social gatherings, the group hopes to host guest speakers and discussions about topics such as stress management, family communication, navigating shift work, critical incident stress, and other areas that similar support networks have found meaningful.

Last night’s gathering was a wonderful start – members got to know one another while crafting together. A special thank you to Janice Tschanen and Kathy Burns for leading the craft project, and to The Stumble Inn in Bascom for graciously hosting the group.

Building resilience doesn’t stop at the station doors – it begins at home, with the hearts behind the badge.

Chief David Pauly