The "Alte Forsthaus", a recreational facility for injured and traumatized police officers in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, officially opens for business today (3 June). Interior Minister Herbert Reul opened the NRW Police Foundation's facility in Waldbröl after years of renovation work. The NRW Police Foundation acquired the building in 2017. The conversion into a rest home took two years. In total, the conversion of the house cost around 800,000 euros, financed from the foundation's own funds.

"Accompanying those affected in their exceptional circumstances is an expression of our guiding principle of valuing and caring. This house is intended to help police officers find their way back to a more or less normal life after their recovery," said Diethelm Salomon, Chairman of the North Rhine-Westphalia Police Foundation. "I would like to expressly thank the supporters of the project, especially the numerous donors and the political decision-makers who have supported this project, regardless of their party affiliation," said Salomon.

"The police are more than just an employer. The police are a family, and just like in a good family, the others worry when one member is not doing so well. Then that member is helped and receives support. This house takes that into account. This house is a promise made in stone: we will look after you, be there for you and not leave you alone," said Interior Minister Herbert Reul at the inauguration.

The house has four apartments for police officers and their families. There is also a large garden, a wellness and fitness area with sauna and a seminar area with modern communication technology. Officers will be able to recover here for one to two weeks after a traumatic experience on duty. In the seminar room, entire groups will also receive psychological support after particularly difficult missions to help them process their experiences.

"The police profession is associated with particular risks; often enough, men and women put their health, and sometimes even their lives, on the line to protect the public. This is not something that can be taken for granted, which is why we all have a special duty of care towards them. I am very pleased about the Police Foundation's commitment to our police officers," said Reul.

The North Rhine-Westphalia Police Foundation has been in existence since 1997. Its purpose is to provide financial support to police officers who have suffered significant health problems as a result of their service or who have become unfit for duty. In the event of death, relatives can also be granted assistance. The North Rhine-Westphalia Police Foundation is recognized as a non-profit organization and is subject to the foundation supervision of the Düsseldorf district government.

• Further information on the "Altes Forsthaus" can be found at: http://www.polizeistiftung-nrw.de
• Video about the "Altes Forsthaus": https://youtu.be/sLdpsqKt8Ug