NCJ Number
76551
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the ways in which physical fitness and diet may be controlled to alleviate the stress which is a condition of the law enforcement occupation.
Abstract
Literature on stress as a condition of the police occupation consistently reports that the officer who is in good physical condition with have fewer health-related problems and will be better able to handle the situations which are stressful. The costs involved in sick leave, training of replacement officers, and disability payments dictate that police administrators and city officials be concerned about the physical condition of police officers. Physical fitness programs should be maintained in police departments with incentives to keep officers physically active throughout the ranks. The program should be designed to build and test endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength and should be adaptable to individual officers' needs in accordance with their age and jobs in the department. Diet is another important means by which officers can minimize distress. A low stress diet which avoids white-refined sugar and flour, alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola; which consists of as many natural foods as possible; and which reduces the number of different foods per meal will do much toward putting the officers into good physical shape so that they may be better able to deal with stressful situations. A list of eight references are included.