The major functions of peer supporters in police departments are to provide help for officers who are unwilling to take their problems to mental health professions, to refer receptive officers to professional counselors, and to detect incipient problems before they become full blown. Peer supporters have three major responsibilities: to listen to the feelings of officers under inordinate stress, to assess whether the officer's problem requires professional and immediate help, and to refer the officer for professional help. Peer supporters should be recruited and screened on the basis of clear selection criteria that will ensure only qualified officers are chosen. Peer supporters should be selected based on some combination of the following criteria: a reputation as one whom other officers seek out for informal support, social skills and an ability to empathize, previous education and training, several years of experience on the street, nomination by other officers, previous use of the program, and the ability to complete the training program. Training should focus on the development of active listening skills, recognizing and assessing officers' problems, determining the need for referral to professionals, and selecting the proper resource to provide professional assistance. Peer candidates generally receive 3 to 5 days of training. There should also be follow-up training and program monitoring. Suggestions are offered in this article for addressing typical limitations in peer support programs. 17 notes