DeepBlu Wellness
Christopher Workman is a career police officer with over twenty-three years of experience in law enforcement and thirty-plus years as a first responder. Currently, the Chief of Police for the Town of Cheswold, Delaware, he became passionate about mental health and well-being, particularly within the law enforcement community, and has dedicated his time advocating for the mental health of officers and providing support and resources to those in need.
He holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Del-Tech and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Behavioral Sciences with a certificate in emotional intelligence and leadership and is currently attending Wilmington University to complete his Master's in Administration of Justice in 2026.
Chris is a strong advocate for open dialogue about mental health and believes in the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding seeking help and bringing those issues to the forefront with his podcast, the DeepBlu Project, and his book, Silence Behind the Blue Wall: Surviving the Mental Health Stigma in Police Culture, and his new novel City of Shadows : The Queen of Spades.
Currently he serves as the 1st Vice-President of the FBI-LEEDA Executive Board, is the Chair of the IACP Smaller Department Section, Vice President of the FBI National Command Course Association, a founding board member of the Small & Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association, board member of the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame, served on the advisory council of the Rural Justice Collaborative, is a consultant/advisor with Lighthouse Health & Wellness, an active member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police and serves on other boards and committees for the State of Delaware.
Dedicated to the art of learning and networking with leaders across the nation. He has a passion for advancing the profession of law enforcement leadership, promoting networking, enhancing public safety, and advocating for law enforcement and first responder health and mental wellness.
Chris and his wife, Renee, reside in Delaware and have three children and one grandchild.
Links:
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chief-christopher-workman/
DeepBluProject.com: https://deepbluproject.com/
Speaking Engagements
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Join us as we continue our 2025 "Crush the Stigma" Tour !!! Here is where we will be next!
ONE MORE TO GO THIS YEAR!!!!!
November 13-16, 2025 - COPS National Conference on Law Enforcement Wellness and Trauma
Marriott New Orleans New Orleans, LA
Presentation: Cleaning Out Your Mental Closet , Friday Nov. 14 @ 3:45p
Stronger Minds/Safer Streets: Confronting the Silent Crisis in Law Enforcement, Saturday, Nov 15 @ 12:45p
https://concernsofpolicesurvivors.wufoo.com/forms/mmwxaht1hdthez/
2026
March 10, 2026, 10 am - Webinar - Who Protects the Protectors? Leadership, Wellness, and the Future of Policing - 60 min Wilmington University
Registration Information Coming Soon!
September 14-15, 2026
1st Responder Conferences - Chase Center, Wilmington, DE
Registration Information Coming Soon!
BOOKING NOW FOR 2026 and 2027
Interested in having Chris speak at your next conference, training , or in-service? Email us at deepbluproject@outlook.com
______________________________________________
Previous Speaking Events
March 24, 2025 - 1st Responders Conferences, Ocean City, MD
Cleaning Out your Mental Closet
COMPLETED!!! Blessed and Honored to attend such a Great Conference!!!
April 29, 2025 10am - Webinar Policing & Mental Health: Silence Behind the Blue Wall - Wilmington University
Thank you to the 327 Registrants from 32 States and 3 Countries!!!
July 27-30, 2025 - Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association Annual Conference - University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
Keynote Presentation "Stronger Minds, Safer Streets"
Thank you to SRLEEA and all those who participated in this breakout. I had a great time!
August 24-29, 2025 - NTOA 2025 Law Enforcement Operations Conference The Gaylord in Washington, DC.
Presentation: Stronger Minds/Safer Streets: Confronting the Silent Crisis in Law Enforcement. Tuesday, August 26 1pm - 2:45p
Thank you to NTOA, especially Don Kester, Laura Gerhart and Steve Mescan for allowing me the honor to present at this years event
Books
I wrote this book as a reminder of the importance of breaking that silence and addressing mental health within the profession. By prioritizing our well-being and building resilience, we, as well as our family, can better face the adversity that comes with the job.
If you are actively serving as officers, this book offers valuable tools and resources to help them navigate the daily challenges they face. From the stress of responding to emergencies to the emotional toll of witnessing trauma, this book provides insights on how to cope and maintain mental well-being.
If you have been in the profession for a longer period, this book acknowledges the long-term effects of stress and trauma, offering ways to address and manage these issues. For loved ones supporting law enforcement professionals, this book serves as a guide to understanding the unique challenges of the job and how to best support their loved ones.
This book serves as a guide for law enforcement officers to navigate the emotional demands of their profession and build resilience in the face of adversity. Drawing on my own experiences as a police officer and in dealing with my own mental health, we provide practical tools, techniques, and insights that can help you prioritize your well-being and create a more balanced and fulfilling life. It's time to break the silence and embrace the importance of mental health in our profession. Together, we can build a culture of support and understanding that allows law enforcement officers to thrive, both on and off duty
Let us strive towards creating a culture where seeking help is encouraged and where our law enforcement officers and first responders know they are not alone in their struggles.
⭐ Rating: 4.5 / 5
Overall Impression
Silence Behind the Blue Wall is a vital, compassionate, and practical resource for anyone navigating the emotional pressures of policing. It’s a call toward resilience—not just professionally, but personally and culturally within law enforcement. If you're looking for a no-nonsense, empathetic handbook for mental wellness in a tough career, this warming read delivers.
Chris Canyon isn't a hero. He's a broken man held together with scotch tape and regret. His 25 years in law enforcement have turned him into a shadow of his former self. The echoes of past failures and the ghosts of three failed marriages haunt him. He tries to numb his pain with cheap whiskey, a self-destructive habit that doesn't heal his wounds. He drifts struggling with addiction and despair. Yet, this wreck of a man hides a brilliant detective. He can solve even the most complex crimes with an uncanny skill. His methods break from tradition, his personality grates on others, and his life is a mess, but he always finishes the job.
This story isn't a sugar-coated story about a brave police officer beating the bad guys in the city. It takes a hard honest look at a man haunted by his inner demons seeking to make things right against tough odds. The story explores his quest to find himself, a path lined with the pieces of a life in ruins.
It shows how love can change people how kindness can appear in surprising places, and how there's always a chance for a new day even in the darkest times. Readers will see Canyon sink to his lowest point and then climb back up to a shaky peace accepting his new life. Get ready to be pulled into his tale, to experience his raw pain, and to share in the possibility of his new beginning.
Podcast - Guest
In this episode of "tell this story" , Chris joins host, Doug White to talk about His journey in creating the DeepBlu Project.
Insights from his book on mental health stigma in police culture. The concept of "Officer Wellness from the Top Down." Advice for officers facing mental health challenges.
This conversation offers valuable perspectives on resilience, leadership, and personal growth within law enforcement.
Listen to the full episode at midnight on December 17th on all platforms and our YouTube channel. All the links can be found here:
H.O.P.E. Beyond the Badge Ep #92
Police Chief Christopher Workman began his career in the fire service before transitioning into policing. He has a combined total of over 3 decades working in first response, he is an author, public speaker, founder of the Deep Blu Project, and podcast host. Chief Workman shares openly about how the job unwittingly influenced his personality, his personal life, his professional life, and every relationship he had. He talks about the difficult moments that allowed him to gain insight into himself, and how he leaned into those moments to promote personal change, and how he models that change within his department from the Chiefs office. As we all know, change starts at the top.
Breaking the Silence: Confronting Mental Health Stigma-Featuring Chief Chris Workman
Join me in this authentic conversation with a Police Chief who has opened up about the struggles he has had. Chief Chris Workman is author of the book, "Silence Behind the Blue Wall - Surviving the Mental Health Stigma in Police Culture". *****This conversation will resonate with all first responders.
This was a great opportunity to speak with Scott Medlin on his podcast and discuss the stigma around mental health in police culture and some ways we can break the stigma and help our fellow officers thrive in today's policing world.
The Power of One: Mental Health in Law Enforcement #0701
Chris Workman of the Cheswold Police Department in Delaware and host/founder of the DeepBlu Project speaks with host Melany Nelson about law enforcement and the rising suicide rate among police officers and first responders.
Watch this episode of The Power of One to learn how everyone needs to care for their mental health. It's ok to not be ok, It's just not OK to Stay That Way!!!