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Managing Stress in Law Enforcement Personnel

Explore the causes, effects, and coping strategies for stress among police officers. Learn how to identify and address stressors and implement effective stress management programs. Discover ways to support law enforcement personnel and prevent burnout.

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Managing Stress in Law Enforcement Personnel

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  1. Section IVManaging Problems Chapter 12 Stress and Related Hazards of the Job

  2. Stress Defined • Tension, anxiety, strain or pressure • The body’s internal response to a situation a person perceives as threatening • Eustress = helpful • Distress = harmful • Acute/traumatic stress • Chronic/cumulative stress

  3. Causes of Stress • Change and uncertainty • Lack of control • Pressure

  4. Sources of Stress for Police Officers • Internal, individual stressors • Stressors inherent to the police job • Administrative and organizational stressors • External stressors: • Criminal justice system • Citizens police serve • Media • Family

  5. Personality Types • Type A Personality • Aggressive, hyperactive “driver” • Tends to be a workaholic • More likely to experience high stress levels • Type B Personality • Opposite of Type A

  6. Internal, Individual Stressors • Stress related to police work • Administrative and organizational stressors

  7. Stress Related to Police Work • Death notifications • Line-of-duty deaths • Critical incidents • Fear of a lawsuit • Fatigue and shift work • Change

  8. Administrative and Organizational Stressors • Feeling of inadequate support • Unfair or unequal treatment • Decisions overruled • Civil suits • Mixed messages • Department policy vs. discretion • The administrator as an adversary • Hiring standards lowered • Differing goals • Miscommunication • Punitive transfers • Lack of input

  9. External Stressors • The criminal justice system • Society at large • The media and the entertainment industry • Family life and other personal pursuits

  10. Law Enforcement Personnel with Additional Stressors • Women officers • Minority officers • Rural and small-town officers • Investigators • Managers/supervisors

  11. Physical Effects of Stress • Heart problems • Hypertension • Cancer • Ulcers • Diabetes • Chronic headaches • Anxiety-related disorders • Asthma • Excessive eating • Decreased sex drive • Fatigue • Dizziness • Muscle and back aches • Tics

  12. Psychological Effects of Stress • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • A clinical name associated with a debilitating condition suffered by Vietnam War veterans • Likely candidates for PTSD: • Officers in larger law enforcement departments • Officers assigned to violent tasks or narcotics teams

  13. Behavioral Effects of Stress • Accident-proneness • Anger • Argumentativeness • Blaming others • Drug and/or alcohol abuse • Excessive violence • Irritability • Inability to concentrate • Lack of control • Neurotic behavior • Nail biting • Obsession with work • Rage • Rapid behavior changes • Uncontrollable urges to cry • Withdrawal

  14. On the Job Effects of Stress • Symptoms of burnout • Lack of enthusiasm and interest • Decreased job performance • Temper flare-ups • Loss of will, motivation or commitment • Avoiding burnout • Keep the work interesting • Give recognition • Provide R and R

  15. Other Possible Major Effects of Stress • Alcoholism and substance abuse • Higher rates of domestic abuse and divorce • Depression • Suicide

  16. Individually Coping with Stress • Enemy #1: Isolation. Resiliency factor: support systems. • Enemy #2: Negative worldview, cynicism. Resiliency factor: sense of optimism. • Enemy #3: Overuse of stimulants and depressants. Resiliency factor: Healthy diet. • Enemy #4: Giving up on exercise. Resiliency factor: Fitness. • Enemy #5: Tying self-worth to position or assignment. Resiliency factor: Finding meaning in life. • Enemy #6: Taking oneself too seriously. Resiliency factor: A sense of humor. • Enemy #7: Lack of sleep. Resiliency factor: Sleep and rest.

  17. Ways to Reduce Stress Levels • Physical exercise • Relaxation techniques • Good nutrition • Taking time for oneself • Making friends • Learning to say no • Staying within the law • Changing one’s mental attitude • Keeping things in perspective • Seeking help when it is needed

  18. How the Organization Can Reduce Stress • Testing and selection • Training • Establishing and supporting fitness standards • Ongoing psychological support

  19. Programs to Prevent/Reduce Stress • Peer support groups • Critical incident stress debriefing • Chaplain corps • Other stress management programs

  20. The Critical Role of the Manager/Supervisor • Keep in close touch with subordinates. • Recognize the symptoms of stress. • Provide counseling if needed. • “Walk the talk.”

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