LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's their job to serve and protect, now officials say it's time to do the same for those in uniform.
"As leaders we're taking steps, great steps to show support for the people who take care of people," Louisville Metro Police Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said.
The Summit Wellness Center is located on Presidents Boulevard and has been in the works since March. On Tuesday, it opened its doors for the first time.
It's goal is to help preserve five pillars of wellness: "Mental, physical, social, spiritual, and financial health," Bryan Edelen, from LMPD's Performance Division, said.
Officials said the center is equipped with mental health professionals, physical therapists, an on-site chaplain and a brand new gym. The three-story building also has a space for CPR and first aid classes.
"So they can continue serving the people of Louisville," Mayor Craig Greenberg said.
Less than a week after Greenberg announced plans for The Summit in March, the Department of Justice released a report saying Louisville had "inadequate support for mental health and wellness" for first responders.
DOJ members met with leaders recently and commended the city on it's progress, Greenberg said.
"They were telling us this is truly a national model. The first of it's kind," he said. "A model for other cities to emulate to support officers, and to provide the physical and mental support they need to do the job the way they want to do it, and the way all of us in our community want them to do their job."
The mayor said more than $17 million in American Rescue Plan funds were used to fund the wellness center. Some of the funding has also gone toward renovations for the new LMPD headquarters.
The Summit will be open 24 hours for first responders.
Classes and counseling sessions will be set for certain times throughout the day.
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