INTERVIEW WITH EDWARD DONOVAN ON STRESS

• NCJ Number: 65678
• Author(s): E DONOVAN; G HOWARD
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 0 pages
• Corporate Author: Harper and Row; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Sale Source: Harper and Row Media
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. 60 MINUTES

Annotation

EDWARD DONOVAN, AN EXPERT ON POLICE STRESS AND FOUNDER OF THE BOSTON STRESS COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR POLICE OFFICERS, DISCUSSES CAUSES OF STRESS AND PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE ESTABLISHED TO HELP PERSONNEL COPE WITH THE PROBLEM.

Abstract

THE THREE MAIN PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AS A RESULT OF FACING CONSTANT STRESS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ARE ALCOHOLISM, SUICIDE, AND DIVORCE. OVER 60 PERCENT OF PERSONNEL PROBLEMS IN THE BOSTON POLICE FORCE ARE CAUSED BY ALCOHOL OR ARE ALCOHOL RELATED. DONOVAN BELIEVES THAT SUICIDES ARE MORE PREVALENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONS THAN IN ANY OTHER, ALTHOUGH OFTEN THESE INCIDENTS ARE NOT RECORDED AS SUICIDES. AFTER EXPLAINING HOW THE BODY REACTS TO STRESSFUL SITUATIONS, HE DISCUSSES THE MARITAL AND FAMILY PROBLEMS RELATED TO POLICE WORK. OFTEN THE OFFICER WILL CREATE DISSENSION WITHIN THE FAMILY BY BEING OVERPROTECTIVE TOWARD THE CHILDREN AND BY CONSTANTLY INTERROGATING THE SPOUSE AND CHILDREN. EVENTUALLY, THE OFFICER SUCCEEDS IN VIRTUALLY DRIVING AWAY THE FAMILY AND A DIVORCE RESULTS. TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SYNDROME FROM OCCURRING, NEW RECRUITS AND THEIR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN SHOULD BE GIVEN A COURSE IN PROBLEMS FACED BY THE POLICE OFFICER AND THE OFFICER'S FAMILY EVEN BEFORE THE RECRUIT IS SWORN IN. ALSO, EXPERIENCED OFFICERS AND THEIR SPOUSES SHOULD TALK WITH THE RECRUITS AND EXPLAIN SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS WHICH THEY HAVE FOUND TO BE HELPFUL IN DEALING WITH THESE PROBLEMS. STRESS ON FEMALE AND MINORITY OFFICERS IS USUALLY EVEN MORE SEVERE THAN THAT ON NONMINORITY, MALE OFFICERS. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS CAN TAKE SEVERAL ACTIONS TO HELP ALLEVIATE STRESS ON THEIR PERSONNEL: (1) A STRESS COUNSELING PROGRAM RUN BY PEER COUNSELORS; (2) BETTER MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION WITH AND APPRECIATION OF THE OFFICER IN THE STREET; (3) FACILITIES FOR PHYSICAL EXERCISE, AND (4) SPECIAL TRAINING FOR SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL REGARDING OFFICERS SUFFERING FROM STRESS. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT NEED ADVICE IN SETTING UP COUNSELING PROGRAMS SHOULD CONTACT THE INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT STRESS ASSOCIATION. (PRG)