JOB STRESS IN POLICE WORK - TRAINING KEY

• NCJ Number: 45873
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF STRESS, EXTERNAL FACTORS AS THE CAUSES OF STRESS, SOURCES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS FOR POLICE OFFICERS, AND METHODS FOR DEALING WITH PARTICULAR STRESS SOURCES IN POLICE WORK ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

WHILE STRESS IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS AN INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF POLICE WORK, THE METHODS FOR DEALING WITH STRESS ARE VIEWED AS THE CRUCIAL FACTORS IN DETERMINING GROWTH OR DEBILITATION IN AN OFFICER'S PERFORMANCE. THOSE SOURCES OF STRESS CONSIDERED UNIVERSAL IN THE POLICE EXPERIENCE ARE DANGER, RESPONSIBILITY, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION, INADEQUATE REWARDS, AND A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT APPARENTLY UNDERMINES THE GOALS OF POLICE WORK. SUPPRESSION OF FEAR, LEADING TO EXCESSIVE AGGRESSION AND DEFENSIVENESS, IS VIEWED AS A COMMON BUT DESTRUCTIVE WAY FOR OFFICERS TO DEAL WITH FEAR. THE AWARENESS OF AND ACCEPTANCE OF FEAR, AND THE ADOPTION OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR TO INCREASE SAFETY WITHOUT BEING UNDULY AGGRESSIVE IS RECOMMENDED. IT IS FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT OFFICERS BE MADE AWARE OF THOSE SITUATIONS THAT, BECAUSE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY INVOLVED, ARE OR CAN BE EXTREMELY STRESSFUL, AND THAT THEY BE GIVEN GUIDELINES FOR DEALING WITH THEM. THE STRESS RESULTING FROM INADEQUATE SUPERVISION THAT LEAVES AN OFFICER UNCERTAIN OF THE VALUE OF WHAT HE IS DOING CAN BE RELIEVED BY SUPERVISORS' CONDUCTING FREQUENT INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS WITH OFFICERS UNDER THEM TO COMMENT ON GOOD WORK AND GIVE GUIDANCE WHERE IT IS NEEDED. THE STRESS THAT COMES FROM FEELING UNAPPRECIATED FOR WORK PERFORMED CAN BE DEALT WITH THROUGH THE USE OF A CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, WORK EXPERIENCE, AND REWARDS. CONCERTED REFORM EFFORTS IN COURTS AND CORRECTIONS DESIGNED TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM ARE HEARTENING TO POLICE WHO BECOME DISCOURAGED BY A HIGH NUMBER OF REARRESTS. A LIST OF 28 SOURCES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS FOR POLICE IS INCLUDED, WITH BRIEF COMMENTS ON EACH. THIS PUBLICATION IS INTENDED TO BE USED IN POLICE TRAINING PROGRAMS. (RCB)