Stress of Police Officers and How They Cope With It

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In life, one is automatically expected to encounter situations that will inadvertently from time to time lead them to encounter stress (Spielberger, 1981). Be it in our own personal lives, career or academics incidents always seem to arise that make our minds just want to shut down and – for lack of a better word – take a breather. Many a time, our careers are the biggest contributor towards this phenomenon – deadline expectations, targets to be achieved, constrained relationship with both management and fellow staff – all seem to weigh down on us and cripple our capacity to think (Braswel & Miller, 1993).

Of the many careers one can imagine that of law enforcement is without a doubt highly ranked when it comes to work related stress. The job of a police officer demands control, and a lot of self control for that matter (Clark, 2001). Picture a world where police officers go around carelessly shooting people for no good reason, arresting innocent by-standers and raiding premises without warrant to do so (Spielberger, 1981). Civil rights groups would have a field-day if such an event were to occur. This just goes to show the level of calm and maturity that officers need to portray and retain every time they report for duty.

Yet, the fact still remains that even policemen and police women are humans. And like any other being on this earth, they will have to in one way or another relieve their stress (Clark, 2001). We have seen how much restraint it calls for when an officer is in the line of duty. Therefore the involuntary question arises how do these men and women exhibit stress, whom does it affect and how or what are the measures put in place to handle when an officer feels frustrated (Gershon, 1999).

There are the obvious signs of stress in any person – strained relations with family and colleagues, reactions seem uncalled for over what might be considered petty issues, decline in one’s productivity levels at work and a number of other signs and symptoms (Ibid, 1999). These are very well generalized ways of identifying a stressed personality, however, when it comes to analyzing stress in the police force the following areas seem to be a recurring point in case studies.

Firstly, life is a very sacred gift and taking of another human’s life is an awfully traumatic and complex idea to fathom. In the instance when an officer is confronted with a life and death scenario, the options being to either kill or be killed, such an officer faces an overwhelming decision to make (Clark, 2001). The trauma that is associated with killing someone may haunt him or her (that is the officer) for many years to come or even for life if not provided with the necessary help to instigate closure, especially if engaged in the line of fire where both parties are shooting at each other with even more lives at stake (Braswel & Miller, 1993).

Secondly, in circumstances similarly linked to this would be the police’s partner murdered in the line of duty, as they would put it. This is a person with whom the affected officer has closely bonded with moreso, if the two had been paired up for a lengthy period of time (Spielberger, 1981). One would feel as though they have lost a right-hand man with whom many experiences be they good or bad have been observed.

More still, it brings the reality home that the one left behind could be the next victim. And because one may spend a lot more time with their partner than even their families, the reality is more vicious (Ibid, 1981). The Central Florida Police Stress Unit, Inc. official website, www.policestress.org reports that on the ordinary a police officer is murdered every 54 hours anywhere within the borders of America while in the line of carrying out their duties (Gershon, 1999).

It is important to note that this type of trauma is not only limited to what has been mentioned above. The stress also extends to instances where a cop has to lose their one or more of their limbs because of work related accidents or injury (Clark, 2001). Altogether, one may find themselves completely unable to carry out their duties depending on the extent of injury and find themselves having to retire involuntarily as a direct result of this (Spielberger, 1981). Even just thinking of the risk involved every time they adorn their uniform and badge is sure enough to elicit the onset of stress.

Law enforcement entailing to work for the people, costs a high price to pay when it comes to spending time with family and friends (Braswel & Miller, 1993). Cops who are parents in particular, find it extremely difficult juggling between work and family. As the job demands odd hours and at times extended periods away from home, a police officer with children will not be a consistent figure in the upbringing of the little one (Ibid, 1993).

It will be a common occurrence to miss a daughter’s dance recital or a son’s soccer practice as a result of being on duty. Moreover, their spouses will also harbor feelings of being left out this encouraged by lack of quality time to spend together as one may return home tired and stressed from the day’s activities (Gershon, 1999). Studies show that with a divorce rate of close to 50% in America, law enforcement officers are plagued with a higher divorce rate of upto 75% on the higher side (Ibid, 1999).

Another issue brought to attention that induces stress in police officers concerns issues to deal with finances and management of debt (Braswel & Miller, 1993). Mention the word salaries and a host of all types of opinions are raised. If one is to glance at a police officer’s W-2 Form from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) one would most likely get the impression that they earn a good salary (Spielberger, 1981).

However, it is important to consider the time and excruciating effort that law enforcement officers put into their careers. As earlier analyzed family time sacrificed, vacations and luxury of home-cooked meals every evening is a lot to give up. A police officer’s job can equally be compared to having two full time jobs (Clark, 2001). Moreover, the demands and risks involved seem too much for the amount written on the check. Opinions on the matter are varying, but more and more officers feel left out and cheated concerning their salaries (Ibid, 2001).

In March, 2003, the US Department of Labor made known the suggested changes to be made to the Fair Labor Standards Act which would affect close to 8 million employees who would be subjected to sporadic work schedules and decreased remuneration because of required addition in extra working hours for which employers would not be needed to compensate workers (Spielberger, 1981). The proposal was to affect professionals including police officers.

Another major cause of stress for police officers is retirement from the force (Clark, 2001). When a police officer retires from the force they feel vulnerable as ordinary civilians after having been in a position of enforcing law and order and ensuring protection (Gershon, 1999). It is easy to understand the feeling of depravity and inferiority after having possessed influence.

We cannot also forget the sheer amount of patience and the everyday pressures of dealing with the public. Having to sort out people’s issues on a daily basis is not an easy fit to achieve (Braswel & Miller, 1993). Answering to emergency calls taking appropriate time to listen and tend to the needs of civilians are just a few instances of what law enforcement officers have to grapple with. Some people are rude to them, others over-emotional, some scared, hurt, traumatized and all these emotions constantly bombarding a person can surely get your mind mixed up and even develop psychological problems (Gershon, 1999).

Again, there is the constant watchful eye of the media, civil rights activist, politicians and the public who all seem to collude towards disrobing the police force to expose every nitty gritty of what they might perceive to be failure on the part of the officers (Spielberger, 1981). New laws are ever being introduced to the public by legislators to further tie down the police, frustrating their ability to sufficiently carry out the duties allocated to them by these very same individuals (Ibid, 1981).

Something else worth noting when it comes to factors considered as causing stress to police officers is the lack of sustenance by the department and arduous relationship with management and colleagues (Braswel & Miller, 1993). One can only be left to imagine what a difficult task it would mean to investigate fellow officers in the department owing to purported acts of criminal engagement, being viewed as a whistle-blower and a ‘snitch’ by fellow co-workers and any investigations in the department being frustrated by top level management (Spielberger, 1981). Another problem is that they may fear to tell their problems to those in upper command levels in apprehension that they might lose their jobs (Ibid, 1981).

Therefore, considering all these forms of stress causing factors, the question begs how is it then that this stress is exhibited? Drug and substance abuse among police officers is not at all a new concept, mainly because of their easily available access to it (Gershon, 1999). Narcotics officers are largely connected to this external form of corruption. However, abuse of alcohol is a major response to work-related stress in the police force, not necessarily alcoholism, but the taking of alcohol inorder to block out and temporarily escape mental torture that is experienced on a daily basis (Ibid, 1999).

Spousal abuse and high rate of divorce among the police force department can similarly be attributed to stress encountered while at work (Clark, 2001). Deterioration in relationships will abound because the spouse as earlier explained would regard and feel themselves to be left out of their partner’s life by not being able to understand the other person’s feelings (Gershon, 1999). In the case of abuse, the wrong method of releasing stress would be to return home and physically assault, mentally or psychologically batter one’s spouse or even all of them at the same time (Spielberger, 1981). This coupled with a drinking habit is ultimately unbearable and one or both parties will eventually concede to opt out.

The high rate of suicide among officers is another end result of this phenomenon. Statistics show that the profile of an officer likely to commit suicide would ideally be aged thirty five years for a white male recently divorced or in a strained relationship that is fast deteriorating (Gershon, 1999). He would also most likely be a patrol officer (Spielberger, 1981). Suicide among police officers has been described as an epidemic.

It is not widely realized by the public the extent to which the problem has risen. Tears of a cop, www.tearsofacop.com revealed that a current survey showed the city of New York police take their own lives at an alarming estimate rate of 29 out of 100,000 annually (Braswel & Miller, 1993). This is in comparison to 12 people out of a possible 100,000 taking their own lives among civilian population in America (Ibid, 1993). The biggest problem is that these police officers never seek help because of feelings of embarrassment. Therefore, they suffer in silence and eventually resolve to commit suicide (Gershon, 1999).

Some signs of stress may include black outs, rapid heart beat, decrial, severe panic, anger and withdrawal; these being just some of the bodily, behavioral and sentimental symptoms witnessed (Spielberger, 1981).

To cope with stress law enforcement officers are encouraged to open up more and talk to friends, colleagues and family inorder to get the help they need (Braswel & Miller, 1993). There have been set up various associations, organizations and also individuals who can assist in the management of stress. For example, the Law Enforcement Wellness Association, Inc., the Central Florida Police Stress Unit amongst other psychologists and stress management practitioners who have dedicated themselves and their life work to help out officers (Ibid, 1993). Moreover, peer networks where officers can meet other officers suffering from stress and similar problems as they might be undergoing are available (Clark, 2001).

Resource centres have been established and the internet can provide various excellent options for one who may not know from whence to begin (Ibid, 2001). Moreover, there are numerous books that have been recommended as excellent reads for those officers who might be experiencing stress above normal such as Force Under Pressure: How Cops Live and Why they Die by author Lawrence, L. (Braswel & Miller, 1993).

However, it is important to remember that it all begins and ends with the individual. Simple steps can be taken to restore back the lost order in one’s life. For instance, one can take time to indulge occasionally in activities of amusement (Clark, 2001). They say that laughter is the best medicine and spending quality time with one’s family is a sure way of discovering and inspiring new ways of having fun. It is vital to take pleasure in your life and extend a helping hand unto others, much in the same way as one would wish to be received by others (Ibid, 2001).

Maintenance of a healthy diet is paramount to stress management techniques (Spielberger, 1981). As much as possible, one should try and avoid consumption of stimulants which only heighten the level of stress by increasing blood pressure. Instead, drinking water is a good way of restoring lost water to the body; it is cooling and refreshing (Braswel & Miller, 1993)

Furthermore, learn to dictate instances and situations that prompt the intensity of one’s stress levels (Spielberger, 1981). Then as much as is humanely possible, try and avoid such areas. It is also wise to have a sort of ‘time-out’ period, where one can silently walk away from what seems to be a stressful event, compose their thoughts and thereafter return to complete the task in new light (Clark, 2001). Schedule time where one can sit down and share their worries and concerns with preferably, a professional especially in the case of a victim of recurring stress (Ibid, 2001).

Relationships, as seen earlier, constitute a fundamental part in the recovery of stress management among police officers (Gershon, 1999). One is encouraged to surround themselves with encouraging and meaningful relationships that amongst many other things add value to the concerned individuals. Be careful of the company that one keeps around them, as they will do either of these two things; make you or break you (Clark, 2001). Invest in friends and even family – avoid nagging relatives – that will make one as an individual to flourish (Gershon, 1999).

In conclusion, life is not a bed of roses; thorns and thistles exist that will tear and wear an individual out. One cannot be expected to sail through life smoothly all the way. Storms are bound to toss you around. The trick is to take responsibility. No one else is responsible of another man’s life. Instead of complicating issues, keep things clear and straight forward. Especially in such a career as law enforcement, worrying about tomorrow will exaggerate your life’s fears. Live for today. If one feels they cannot cope, make it known precisely that the task is not within one’s ability to carry out.

References

Spielberger, Charles D. (1981). Police Stress Survey: Sources of Stress in Law Enforcement. University of South Florida, Tampa FL. Pp 40.

Braswell, Michael C., and Miller, L. (1993). Human Relations and Police Work. Waveland, Prospect Heights, ILL. Pp. 228.

Clark, P.C. (2001). Careers and Occupations: Stress in the Workplace. Bulletin of Psychological Type, 24 (4). Pp. 26-28.

Gershon, Robyn. (1999). Police Stress and Domestic Violence in Police Families in Baltimore, Maryland. Johns Hopkins University.

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Stress of Police Officers and How They Cope With It

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