Chief David Splain recently spent the day in Harrisburg, testifying at a hearing before the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy Committee on crime, trends, and issues facing law enforcement.

Splain, President of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, appeared June 21 along with two PCPA Executive Board members, Allegheny County Housing Authority Chief Michael Vogel, and Abington Township Police Department Chief Patrick Molloy.

Testifying about police recruitment and retention, and officer wellness, Splain said, “It was a great experience to represent Nether Providence Township, the township Police Department and law enforcement as a whole on these important topics at the state level."   

Splain is well-versed on the topics. 

“Officers are leaving the profession at an alarming rate. Law enforcement needs incentives to encourage experienced officers to remain on the job and motivate those entering the job market to pursue this noble profession," Splain said, recapping his testimony.

Regarding officer wellness, particularly mental health, he stressed to the committee that the changing world created a more stressful and dangerous environment for police. 

"We are a culture of guardians, warriors, protectors, and fixers. Cops are good at solving problems if those problems belong to someone else. The mental health of police officers is often something that gets overlooked."  

Citing the National Alliance on Mental Health, he noted that many police officers face alcohol abuse, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal thoughts. More officers have died from suicide than they do in the line of duty, he said.

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