STRESS MANAGEMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

1. STRESS MANAGEMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT Part I Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Florida Department of Law Enforcement

2. STRESS MANAGEMENT INLAW ENFORCEMENT Bob Woody, PhD, JD, Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Reserve Capitol Police Officer, FDLE Product Development by David Brand, MPA Professionalism Program Mike Crews, Director

3. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Everyone experiences anxiety, tension and stress. Normal daily activities, such as driving in heavy traffic, can stimulate an experience of stress or anxiety. Anxiety is a mood state. When anxious, the human’s emotional and psychological responses go into overdrive. All anxiety and tension is not bad. Motivation to action is triggered by anxiety and tension – but being under stress may impose a detriment to the person’s functioning.

4. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Too much anxiety or tension may lead to apprehension. Apprehension can result in uneasiness, worry, fear and dread. Too much anxiety or tension may also lead to somatic symptoms. Somatic symptoms involve body and physical disorders.

5. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress What constitutes “too much” anxiety and tension depends on the individual’s biological and psychological characteristics. Basically, vulnerability to anxiety and tension depends on the person’s temperament (an inherited quality). However, mental characteristics are also important. Troubling thoughts about world events, health, self-concept, family members and friends and work can produce excessive anxiety and tension.

6. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Generalized Anxiety Disorder If a person has ongoing excessive anxiety and tension from thoughts and experiences in reality it is referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. Worry about everyday thoughts and encounters may lead to an inability to rest or sleep well, fatigue, poor concentration and being ill tempered.

7. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Stress, refers to psychological and physiological responses to thoughts or encounters. Depending on the mental and physical resilience of the person, the outcome can potentially be harmful – both for psychologically coping with relationships decision making and physical health. Stress can actually produce changes in the physical and mental functioning. It can contribute to the development of disorders and disease.

8. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress If experiencing stress, the individual may experience bodily reactions like sweating, altered speech, poor mental focus and negative emotions. The onset of numerous physical disorders is linked to high levels of stress. An existing disease can be exacerbated (made worse) by stress.

9. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Stress can alter the mind and body in a manner that will impact negatively on job functioning and limit the quality of life. Given the potential for high risks, the officer must be capable of effective stress management. Just how much stress can be experienced without negative results will vary among different individuals.

10. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Resiliency is a coping mechanism Genetic predisposition, prior exposure and coexisting adverse circumstances, competency to cope with and solve problems, and the degree of available support will determine whether the officer can cope with the negative effects of stress. Resilience allows the person to adapt to challenging or difficult experiences that bring stress. Adaption is accomplished through one’s mental, emotional and behavioral resources.

11. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Laurence Miller (2006) introduces the concept of “resiliency” as follows: “Equally important, but often overlooked, are resiliency factors that enable officers to withstand and even prevail in the face of seemingly overwhelming trauma. These include superior training and skill development, a learning attitude toward the profession, good verbal and interpersonal skills, higher intelligence, adequate emotional control, optimism, good problem solving and adaptive copying skills, and the ability and willingness to seek help and support where necessary.” (p.96)

12. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Coping: Finding a way of handling a stressful situation effectively. Being open minded and flexible in values, beliefs, and attitudes helps the person adapt to the demands and learn new ways to adjust thoughts and behaviors. It is human nature to maintain the status quo. People tend to avoid change and to favor the security of staying with their usual patterns.

13. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress When faced with adversity, an individual’s response will depend on: • Personal ideas about how to defend against or resolve the issue, • What social support and resources are available (i.e. back-up or support from the supervisor), and • Specific coping strategies.

14. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress The individual’s sense of personal qualities, referred to as the “ego” or “self-concept,” influences coping and adapting to stressful situations. The self concept is the conscious idea about self-worth and is constantly evolving.

15. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Throughout life, a person has a sense of self worth. It can, at times, be illogical or even delusional. That is, the person may believe that he or she is more important than is factual. Conversely, there may be feelings of inferiority or worthlessness. Having an illogical belief about self worth can lead to stress. The individual should remain open to new information and experiences that will strengthen the person’s functioning.

16. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress The ego or self functions create a mental filter through which thoughts, emotions and behaviors pass. The ego and self: • Influence perception, logic and reasoning, problem solving ability, reality testing, and • regulate impulses and behavioral choices. Therefore, the ego controls the beliefs and views relevant to problem solving and ways of dealing with real life situations.

17. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress As ego strength is depleted there is a reduction in the person’s ability to cope with problems. Coping ability is gained from: Rest and sleep Mental relaxation and feeling carefree Healthy physical activities Rewarding relationships and other social activities Being original and creative

18. Understanding Anxiety, Tension and Stress Taking pride in activities Taking control of one’s mind and body.

19. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement A debate exists, among police psychologists, regarding whether or not there exists adequate empirical research data to support the theory that law enforcement officers experience more stress than persons involved in other occupations.

20. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement Rutledge (2007) reports, however: • “On the average, 60,000 officers are assaulted on the job every year.” • “More than 100 officers died in the line of duty during the first six months of 2007; a 44% increase over the same period in 2006.” (p.36)

21. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement Acknowledging the controversy about the incidence of stress related problems in law enforcement, Walker and Katz (2005) recognize four unique types of stress in law enforcement officers: • “The threat of danger is a basic element of police work that creates stress.” • “Citizen disrespect and challenges to police authority are another source of on-the-job stress.”

22. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement • “The police department itself is a major source of stress, and” • Female police officers experience special gender related forms of stress.” (p.179)

23. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement “Many researchers as well as the officers and their families, consider law enforcement to be one of the most stressful of all occupations with correspondingly reported high rates of divorce, alcoholism, suicide and other emotional and health problems.” (Bartol, C.R. & Bartol, A. M., 2004, p. 48)

24. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement In his book CopShock, Kates (1999) states: “Lack of support at work is often the main reason that officers feel intense pressure and insecurity.” (p.193) The idea is that the chain-of-command subjects officers to stringent expectations, with the possibility of negative performance evaluations, which leads to stress.

25. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement However, the notion that officers often experience stress because they believe that they cannot count on the chain-of-command for support is contradicted in one survey. A Briefing Room (2007) survey reported that most of the respondents had positive views about their chiefs/sheriffs. 76% expressed liking, 71% expressed respect, and 67% said that there was support for the line officers in their duties.

26. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement As possible remedies for stress, Kates (1999) offers three suggestions: • “They can learn a variety of effective techniques and methods that may include rest and relaxation, exercise, nutrition, yoga, deep breathing, hypnosis, massage and meditation.” • “They could involve humor, Tai Chi, time management strategies, assertiveness training, spiritual awakening and establishing support networks.”

27. Stress Specific to Law Enforcement • “There are no rights or wrongs in stress management, only what works for you.” (p. 323)

28. Ten Guidelines Based on the available research and the personal experience of Dr. Woody, the following ten guidelines for stress management should be considered. Any particular guideline might or might not have relevance to a given officer.

29. Ten Guidelines • The officer should recognize and use “self-talk” to internalize the idea that anxiety and stress are destructive and must not be allowed to lessen personal health and professional functioning.

30. Ten Guidelines • Refined and advanced LEO training can provide a “suit of armor” against experiencing stress by instilling realistic self-confidence, providing an array of concrete conflict resolution skills, and allowing decisiveness.

31. Ten Guidelines • Although self-confidence is important for defense and controlling a situation, the LEO should be realistic about self-worth and avoid attitudes that might provoke resistance or negative reactions from another person. Don’t be cocky or abrasive To do otherwise, particularly with sociopathic or belligerent persons, is apt to “pour fuel on the flames.”

32. Ten Guidelines • The LEO should counter (address) tense or threatening conditions by persistence or perseverance that is firmly based on policies and procedures for operations.

33. Ten Guidelines 5. The LEO should consistently pursue a healthy and well-honed mind and body. Physical and mental conditioning derived from pleasurable, relaxing, prudent and socially rewarding strategies.

34. Ten Guidelines • The LEO should consciously pledge allegiance to professional knowledge, technical skills and the law enforcement mission. Positive attitudes about being an LEO can maximize the “power of the shield” in the face of adversity.

35. Ten Guidelines • The LEO should gain strength for blocking the influx of anxiety-creating factors by restructuring thoughts and beliefs from within oneself from being naïve or foolhardy to being prudent and realistic about risks. Be informed and realistic about yourself and your environment.

36. Ten Guidelines • The LEO should recognize that a singular stressful event does not mean that other similar events will justify being anxious. Do not over generalize after a bad encounter with one particular sort of “bad guy.”

37. Ten Guidelines • The LEO should approach any potentially aggressive or threatening person or scene with a conscious awareness of superior skills through training and a mind-set that there will be control of the situation. However, if the conditions prevent adequate control the officer should consider it a virtue to know when to implement a “strategic withdrawal.”

38. Ten Guidelines • Based on the depletion of one’s limited amount of ego strength, the LEO should identify and rely upon a personally chosen “re-charger,” such as recreation, hobbies, or activities with friends and family. Do not hesitate to seek professional help when appropriate.

39. References Bartol, C.R. & Bartol, A.M.. (2004) Introduction to forensic psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage. Briefing Room. (2007). Police survey reveals that most of you like and respect your chief. Police Magazine, 31 (10), 18. Finn, P. & Tomz, J.E. (1997, March). Developing a law enforcement stress program for officers and their families. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice. Kates, A.R. (1999). CopShock: Surviving posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Tucson, AZ: Holbrook Street Press. Miller, L. (2006). Practical police psychology: Stress management and crisis management for law enforcement. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas. Rutledge, D. (2007). How to justify officer safety searches. Police Magazine, 31 (10), 36, 38 & 40. Walker, S., & Katz, C.M. (2005). The police in America: An introduction (fifth edition). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

40. Questions • The creation of stress: (A) requires severe trauma, (B) can be caused by normal daily activities, (C) does not occur in law enforcement, (D) only occurs with “weak” people. • When anxious, the person’s emotional and psychological responses: (A) are unaffected, (B) produce a calming effect, (C) go into overdrive, (D) can be disregarded. • Which of the following is false: (A) anxiety is a mood state, (B) all anxiety is bad, (C) the definition of “too much” tension depends on the particular person’s biological and psychological characteristics, (D) anxiety can create motivation.

41. Questions • Apprehension (having anxiety about the future) can produce: (A) uneasiness and worry, (B) fear and dread, (C) bodily and physical symptoms, (D) all of the foregoing (A, B & C) are possible. • Excessive tension and anxiety can result from: (A) troubling thoughts about world events, health, self-concept, family members and friends, (B) relaxing, (C) being calm, (D) thinking about pleasant things. • Worry can lead to: (A) inability to rest or sleep well, (B) fatigue and poor concentration, (C) being grumpy and ill tempered, (D) all of the foregoing (A, B & C) are possible.

42. Questions • If experiencing stress, the LEO may: (A) begin to sweat and have altered speech, (B) feel very relaxed, (C) think more clearly, (D) none of the foregoing (A, B or C) is correct. • Stress can: (A) make an existing disease worse, (B) cause physical problems, (C) lead to poor mental focus, (D) all of the foregoing (A, B & C) are possible. • If stress exacerbates an existing disease, the disease is: (A) unaffected, (B) made worse, (C) cured, (D) lessened.

43. Questions • Given the high risks in law enforcement, it is important for the LEO to: (A) avoid reading, (B) ignore what is going on, (C) manage stress effectively, (D) have feelings of inferiority. • Resilience is developed by: (A) superior training and skills, (B) higher intelligence, (C) adequate emotional control, (D) all of the foregoing (A, B & C) are correct. • Adaptation (adjusting to or modifying conditions) to control stress is accomplished by: (A) mental, emotional and behavioral resources, (B) dressing nicely, (C) playing “war games,” (D) being closed minded.

44. Questions • For coping with stress, being open minded and flexible is helpful for: (A) denying bad things, (B) adjusting thoughts and behaviors, (C) deciding on whether to obey a command, (D) selecting appropriate clothing. • Which of the following is true: (A) the self-concept never changes, (B) the self-concept is irrelevant, (C) the self-concept is constantly evolving, (D) none of the foregoing (A, B or C) is true. • Feelings of self-worth: (A) are never false, (B) may be illogical or delusional, (C) are unimportant, (D) all of the foregoing (A, B & C) are correct.

45. Questions • The ego and self: (A) influence perception, logic and reasoning, problem solving ability, reality testing, (B) regulate impulses and behavioral choices, (C) govern the beliefs and views relevant to problem solving and ways of dealing with real life situations, (D) all of the foregoing (A, B & C) are correct. • As possible remedies for stress, LEOs can: (A) learn a variety of effective techniques, such as exercise yoga and meditation, (B) improve their time management strategies, (C) cultivate better assertiveness skills, (D) all of the foregoing (A, B & C) are correct.

46. Questions • The LEO should: (A) be realistic about self worth, (B) adopt attitudes that provoke negative reactions from others, (C) avoid pleasurable situations, (D) disregard any criticisms.

47. Answers 1. B 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. A 6. D 7. A 8. D 9. B 10. C 11. D 12. A 13. B 14. C 15. B 16. D 17. D 18. A

48. STRESS MANAGEMENT INLAW ENFORCEMENT Part II Knowing the S-C-O-R-E Florida Department of Law Enforcement

49. Knowing the S-C-O-R-E In Part I, this self-study course introduced the topic of Stress Management in Law Enforcement. In Part II, we will discuss the concept of SCORE which is an approach to a personal mindset. The SCORE concept instills the idea that control and change of one’s psychological health is possible. It requires the person to identify and adopt improved “defense mechanisms.” These are ways of reacting to troubling or problematic situations that will (1) reduce anxiety, tension and mental conflicts, and (2) lead to more positive, mature and healthy cognitive (thinking) processes and behaviors.

50. Review of Part I In Part I we learned that: Everyone experiences anxiety, tension and stress in normal daily activities, such as driving in heavy traffic, which can stimulate the human organism to experience anxiety and tension and lead to stress. Anxiety is a mood state and all anxiety and tension is not bad. It can motivate both positive and negative actions. Stress, however, imposes a detriment on the person’s function. Apprehension (uneasiness, worry, fear, dread) about what MIGHT happen can take a toll both mentally and physically.