Peer Support Network
Support from coworkers who understand the job
The Peer Support Network is a 24/7, relationship‑based support team within the Personnel Support Division that connects HCSO employees, retirees, and their families with trained coworkers who are ready to listen, encourage, and guide them toward help when needed.
The HCSO Peer Support Network is a team of specialty‑trained employees who offer confidential emotional support to coworkers during times of personal or professional stress. Clinically supported by Behavioral Health Services, the network helps reduce stigma, promote early intervention, and extend the career longevity of those who serve Harris County.
Peer supporters are deputies, detention staff, communications staff, and professional staff from across the agency who volunteer to be a listening ear for their colleagues. They receive specialized training in active listening, crisis response, and referral skills so that support is caring, ethical, and effective.
The network
The Peer Support Network offers:
- A coworker to talk to after a difficult call, shift, or life event
- Emotional support and practical coping strategies
- Follow‑up and check‑ins after critical or traumatic incidents
- Connection to additional resources, including Behavioral Health Services, chaplaincy, and other supports
Peer support is not formal counseling or therapy, and peer supporters do not provide mental health diagnoses or treatment. Instead, they serve as a bridge, helping coworkers feel heard and, when needed, guiding them toward professional resources.
The Peer Support Network provides support 24/7 so that help is available whenever stress, loss, or critical incidents occur. Members of the HCSO family can reach out for a single conversation or ongoing check‑ins during challenging times.
Confidentiality
All Peer Support Network members are required to follow strict confidentiality procedures. They do not keep names or detailed records of their conversations and only share de-identified statistics (such as the number of contacts) when required.
Peer support confidentiality is also backed by Texas law. Under Section 1701.624 of the Texas Occupations Code, information relating to a law enforcement officer's participation in peer support services is confidential, exempt from public disclosure, and cannot be used as the basis for any action against the officer's peace officer license.
Information shared with a peer supporter remains private except in specific situations where disclosure is required by law or policy, such as:
- Imminent danger to self or others
- Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child, older adult, or person with disabilities
- Other circumstances where reporting is mandated
Peer supporters do not provide information to supervisors about the content of peer conversations, and participation in peer support is voluntary. These protections — both in policy and in law — help create a safe space for employees and family members to reach out for help.
Clientele
The Peer Support Network is available to:
- HCSO employees (sworn and civilian)
- Retirees
- Eligible family members, when appropriate
Peers can seek support on their own, or a coworker or supervisor may encourage them to connect with the network. Even when referred, employees always have the choice to accept or decline services.
Volunteering
The Peer Support Network is always looking for dedicated, respected HCSO employees and retirees who want to support their colleagues. Volunteers complete an application and receive specialized training before serving as certified peer supporters.
Employees from all ranks and assignments are encouraged to apply, and selections are based on factors such as job performance, peer respect, and suitability for this trusted role.
The community
By connecting coworkers with caring, trained peers who understand the unique pressures of law enforcement and public safety work, the Peer Support Network helps sustain the Sheriff’s Office’s strength and stability. Supporting HCSO employees and their families ultimately strengthens the agency’s ability to serve the people of Harris County with professionalism and compassion.