A Fall 2018 DLab Case Study
The leadership at the Boise Police Department (BPD) realized that they needed a way to break down the “macho stigma” that forms between officers.
This Design Lab group decided to help them. They first interviewed three officers – Captain Ron Winegar and Captain Brian Lee of BPD, as well as Detective Carper of the Nampa Police Department. All three officers shed insight into the deep struggle police officers face throughout the day. Many officers have an internal conflict with suicide, depression, and anxiety amid their daily actions. Many also feel as if they cannot express these feelings because they are supposed to “act tough.” After hearing this disturbing insight, the team got together and began addressing this issue using the following How Might We question: How might we facilitate connections between police officers to create both a greater sense of community and vulnerability, knowing that a “macho stigma” prevents this kind of companionship? With this question, and the help of Captain Winegar, the team went on to iterate on multiple ideas.
They eventually developed the Buddy System. The Buddy System is a monthly opportunity for three officers to get together in a social environment to discuss life and the challenges of the job. In conjunction with BPD, the design team created a plan for the implementation of the Buddy System.
Design Team: Dylan B., Alec B., and Elijah R.
