“We can’t continue to preach brotherhood and family while ignoring the silent suffering within our ranks,” A strong agency is one that takes care of its people—mind, body, and spirit. That’s leadership. That’s accountability. That’s what PBSO needs.”

 Across the nation, one of the greatest tragedies facing law enforcement today is not only the violence officers encounter on duty—but the pain they endure off duty. Law enforcement suicide has quietly become one of the leading causes of death among officers. These losses are not only heartbreaking—they are preventable.

Beau Cisco, candidate for Palm Beach County Sheriff 2028, has witnessed this crisis firsthand during his 25 years of service with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. His message is clear: It’s time for a sheriff who understands the psychological cost of the badge—and takes real action to prevent the next tragedy before it happens.

“In my time at PBSO, I’ve seen good men and women—law enforcement and corrections deputies—take their own lives. While the reasons may differ—trauma, burnout, toxic environments, or neglectful leadership—the loss is always the same,” Cisco said. “They were members of our family, and they deserved better.”
 

Cisco has pledged to make mental health care and wellness a core mission of his administration—not a side program or public relations checkbox. His plan calls for annual psychological evaluations for all employees, with increased frequency and oversight for high-trauma assignments such as Vehicular Homicide, Major Crimes, and Child Exploitation units.

“Mental health checks should be a common, proactive measure—something every deputy experiences as part of maintaining readiness,” Cisco explained. “We can’t wait until someone breaks down to act.”
 

Units like Vehicular Homicide face tragedy daily—children, families, and innocent drivers lost in devastating crashes. These deputies deserve specialized psychological attention. Cisco’s plan brings back targeted wellness checks for trauma-heavy units that see far more emotional impact than the average deputy.

Every deputy involved in high-impact incidents—fatal crashes, shootings, mass casualty events—will receive structured follow-ups at regular intervals, not just one-time debriefings. Recovery takes time, and so should our care.

Cisco’s administration will create peer wellness teams within each unit, staffed by deputies trained in trauma recognition, crisis conversation, and early intervention. These peers will be the first line of awareness—trusted colleagues who can spot distress before it becomes a crisis.

In his first months as Sheriff, Cisco will order an agency-wide leadership analysis—reviewing the effectiveness, accountability, and compassion of command staff. Supervisors who fail to foster wellness, communication, and trust will be re-evaluated and re-trained. 

“Our leadership has a direct impact on morale, recruitment, and retention,” Cisco said. “We cannot expect deputies to stay motivated in an agency where leadership neglects their wellbeing. We need leaders who show up for their people.”

Cisco plans to replace generic employee assistance programs with licensed clinicians experienced in law enforcement trauma, ensuring deputies can access real, culturally competent care—confidentially and without stigma.

Cisco also addressed one of the agency’s most painful and divisive realities: inconsistent treatment of deputies who have taken their own lives.

“One of the most disturbing hypocrisies I’ve seen is that some deputies who died by suicide were given full honor guard services, while others were denied the same respect,” Cisco said. “I won’t speak to private details, but I can tell you the circumstances were not so different. If you wore this badge, you earned the right to be remembered with dignity.”
 

Under a Cisco administration, PBSO will adopt a unified policy ensuring that all fallen deputies are honored equally—regardless of the manner of death. “Service, sacrifice, and suffering in silence deserve acknowledgment, not judgment,” Cisco added.

Cisco’s campaign is grounded in three core principles: Professionalism, Transparency, and a Re-Energized Culture. His mental wellness plan is part of a broader mission to restore integrity and purpose throughout the agency.

“We can’t continue to preach brotherhood and family while ignoring the silent suffering within our ranks,” Cisco said. “A strong agency is one that takes care of its people—mind, body, and spirit. That’s leadership. That’s accountability. That’s what PBSO needs.”
 

Cisco’s career path—from patrol to narcotics to federal task force officer and training supervisor—has given him a deep understanding of the mental and emotional demands deputies face. As a nationally recognized trainer and founder of the Behavioral Analysis Training Group, Cisco has taught over 10,000 officers nationwide how to understand body language, manage stress, and build mental resilience.

“We can’t change the past,” Cisco said, “but we can change how we lead. Every life saved by awareness and compassion is one more hero still standing.”