What is peer-to-peer support?

• A. Support provided by supervisors
• B. Support provided by trained fellow officers who listen and offer assistance to their colleagues
• C. Support from family
• D. Online forums with no guidance

Answer: (B)

Peer-to-peer support is when trained fellow officers within the same agency offer listening, understanding, and practical help to colleagues facing stress or difficult incidents. The key is the shared experience—someone who does the same job can relate in a way others can’t and can validate what a coworker is going through. Because these peers are trained, they know how to listen without judgment, recognize when professional help is needed, and point a person toward appropriate resources while keeping conversations confidential. This approach helps reduce stigma around seeking support and makes it feel more accessible, since the support is coming from someone who truly understands the workplace. It also complements formal resources rather than replacing them. Supervisors have an authoritative role, family is outside the job context, and unmoderated online forums can lack guidance and privacy.