NCJ Number
126084
Date Published
1990
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Police stress manifests itself in alcoholism, divorce, nervous breakdown, and even suicide. The fatigue of the day to day work schedule is a stressful part of the job.
Abstract
Family pressures mount because of the danger and nature of the job. Health problems from inadequate diet, fatigue, and stress may afflict officers in the prime of their lives. Special investigation units, like the Pop Squad, are on the streets every day facing drug pushers and pressure from the community to resolve the drug problem in their neighborhoods. In addition, police officers are now faced with the dangers of contracting AIDS in their contact with drug addicts and needles. As the crime rate goes up, the officer to population ratio grows wider and wider apart. Criminals are more dangerous and seem to be getting more violent at a younger age. Through proper preparation in the form of physical and mental training, however, the amount of anxiety in a police officer can be reduced.