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WELLNESS
PROGRAM
Emphasizing Care and Connection with Officers, Staff, and their Families.
EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF OFFICER WELLNESS
Wellness, Well-Being, and Retention
In 2022, we received the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) grant, reinforcing our commitment to officer and staff well-being and retention. Our Wellness Program fosters a compassionate workplace and offers resources beyond mental health to support professional development, career advancement, and overall wellness.
Officer wellness includes physical, emotional, and professional support. Our Peer Support Team provides confidential assistance with stress management, family concerns, and emotional and resources for mental health needs. The team also works closely with our Commander in charge of our training schedule.
Every team member receives additional Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training, including attendance at the Officer Safety and Wellness Conference in Anaheim, California. We are actively recruiting additional Peer Support Team members and continuing to seek opportunities to equip them with valuable tools. The team also works with our chaplains — currently three, representing diverse faiths — to ensure officers have access to spiritual support.
Our Holistic Approach to Wellness Includes:
Physical Health
Access to timely medical care; structured fitness programs; and practical nutritional guidance.
Work-Life Balance
Support for personal goal setting; stress management; and meaningful social connections.
Career & Life Support
Family and peer support; resources for life challenges; community leadership programs; and peer coaching.
Professional Development
Leadership training; mentorship; and career growth opportunities.
Chaplaincy Program
Nonsectarian spiritual and emotional support for officers, staff, and families in crisis and everyday service.
MEET SAGE, OUR WELLNESS PARTNER
In 2025, the Salinas Police Department has welcomed Sage, a 1‑year‑old yellow Labrador, as its official wellness dog to support the mental health and resilience of first responders; professionally trained to offer comfort—supervising belly rubs, surprise cuddle checks, and timely snack reminders—Sage makes rounds through the station to help personnel pause and breathe after difficult calls, provide a calming presence during busy shifts, and boost morale for both officers and civilian staff, all as part of a broader wellness program designed to care for those who serve.
CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM
Honoring Service, Supporting Resilience
The Chaplaincy Program is a vital part of our department’s commitment to holistic wellness. Our chaplains offer compassionate, nonsectarian spiritual and emotional support to sworn officers, professional staff, and their families—whether in moments of crisis, quiet reflection, or everyday service. They walk alongside our team through life’s challenges and transitions, providing a steady presence rooted in empathy, confidentiality, and respect.
Embedded in our broader wellness framework, chaplains collaborate with the Peer Support Team, mental health professionals, and leadership to ensure every department member feels seen, heard, and supported. Whether responding to critical incidents, offering comfort after a loss, or simply checking in after a long shift, their care helps sustain the heart of the department.
The Chaplaincy Program reminds us that wellness is not only physical but also emotional, relational, and spiritual. Through their presence, our chaplains foster connection, hope, and renewed strength across the department and beyond.
Meet our Chaplains
Since September 2016, Pastor John Bosic has served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Salinas. He describes this ministry as one of the greatest privileges of his life, committing himself to shepherding the congregation with care, integrity, and a deep heart for the local community.
A 1988 graduate of Wheaton College, Pastor Bosic brings decades of ministry experience to his role. Before answering the call to Salinas, he served churches in Wichita, Kansas, and Scottsdale, Arizona. In these roles he developed a broad background in preaching, pastoral care, and leadership, equipping him to guide his current congregation with wisdom and perspective.
Pastor Bosic is defined by his commitment to looking beyond the walls of the church. He actively builds supportive relationships across Salinas, prioritizing collaboration with local leaders and agencies to promote safety and hope. Whether navigating times of crisis or celebration, he seeks to be a steady, compassionate presence for both his church family and the wider community.
The Reverend Dr. Matthew Fleming is a career educator and dedicated public servant based in Salinas, California. He lives with his wife and is the proud father of three adult children. A former U.S. Naval Officer, Dr. Fleming began his chaplaincy work in 2000, serving Cal Fire and numerous other public safety agencies.
Since 2006, he has been the Chaplain for the Salinas Police Department, where he provides compassionate care and spiritual support to officers and their families.
Ordained in 2004, Dr. Fleming is a Master Level Chaplain and Certified Trauma Specialist. He holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology, with research focused on how trauma impacts cognitive function—insight he applies directly in his work with first responders.
Coming from a law enforcement family, he understands the unique stresses of public safety life and is deeply committed to serving those who protect the community through presence, empathy, integrity, and faith.
Matt Gersonde serves as the Lead Pastor of Refuge Bible Church in Salinas, where he has faithfully led the congregation with a passion for community transformation, spiritual growth, and practical service. With over two decades of ministry experience, Matt is known for his heart to bring hope, prayer, and presence into moments of crisis and need.
As a chaplain with the Salinas Police Department, he desires to be a steady source of encouragement and care for officers, staff, and community members alike. His ministry philosophy centers on compassion, integrity, and faith in action, walking alongside others with empathy and support in both everyday challenges and critical incidents.
In addition to his pastoral work, Matt is actively involved in city outreach efforts, counseling, and leadership development within the faith community. He and his wife Kristen have been married for over twenty years and share a deep commitment to serving the Salinas community together.
Pastor Matt counts it a privilege to partner with the Salinas Police Department in supporting those who serve and protect our city.