Release Date: April 28, 2026
CHARLESTOWN, Ind. – Starting now, City of Charlestown Police Department officers can take a two-week sabbatical after five years of service in a newly approved Rejuvenation Program, proposed by Police Chief Eric Kruse to promote officer wellness.
“This program provides proactive mental health support for our officers,” said Kruse. “It’s designed to reduce burn out, improve morale, and strengthen family and friend relationships outside the workplace. We feel this will support and improve long-term mental and career health. The other desirable is to enhance overall job performance upon return.”
To be eligible, officers must complete five years of full-time service to the Charlestown Police Dept. Once the anniversary is met, an officer is eligible to get two consecutive weeks off. Officers will receive normal salary and time will not be deducted from their benefits of vacation, personal, and sick leave.
Once the five-year mark is met, officers will be eligible for the program again in five additional years. Officers can opt out of the program if they choose. The program is believed to be one of the first in the state of Indiana. Similar programs have shown success in Minnesota.
“We want to promote officer wellness, mental health, and overall well-being by providing dedicated time away from the daily stresses of law enforcement duties,” said Kruse.
When sabbatical time comes, the requirements are simple. No work-related phone calls, messages or emails. No call-outs. No off-duty employment related to police-like authority. And, park the police vehicle.
When it comes to taking the time off, officers will apply at the beginning of the anniversary year, then work with Assistant Chief Jonathan Roederer, who handles scheduling for the department. A mutually agreed-upon time will be picked to ensure there is little disruption in shift staffing levels and departmental needs. School resource officers will use the time during scheduled school breaks.
“Healthy officers are better prepared to serve the community with professionalism, sound judgment, and compassion,” said Kruse.
