NCJ Number
38483
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH REVEALS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST STRESSFUL OCCUPATIONS IN TERMS OF ITS OVERALL IMPACT ON THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICER'S PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AS WELL AS HIS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
Abstract
THIS THREE-PART FILM SERIES IS DESIGNED TO FOCUS ATTENTION OF BOTH PRE-SERVICE AND IN-SERVICE POLICE PERSONNEL ON SOME OF THE MAJOR SOURCES OF STRESS IN THEIR PROFESSION. IN ADDITION, THE FILMS ARE INTENDED TO SERVE AS A CATALYST STIMULATING GROUP DISCUSSION OF THE WIDE VARIETY OF STRESS SITUATIONS WHICH COMMONLY ARISE IN THE COURSE OF ROUTINE PATROL WORK. AS A RESULT OF VIEWING THE SERIES, OFFICERS WILL HAVE BOTH A GREATER AWARENESS OF THE SOURCES OF STRESS, AND THE ABILITY TO CRITICALLY EXAMINE THE VARIOUS POSSIBLE WAYS OF DEALING WITH THE FRUSTRATIONS CREATED BY THESE STRESSES. THE SECOND IN THE SERIES, THIS FILM CONSIDERS SOME POSSIBLE REACTIONS TO SUCH STRESSES AND THE EFFECT OF THESE STRESSES UPON THE OFFICER. STRONG LEGAL AND SOCIAL PRESSURES. TO INHIBIT OR CONTROL THEIR EMOTIONS, DEALING WITH THE MEDIA IMAGE OF 'SUPERCOP,' AND FEAR OF HAVING SIGNS OF INTERNAL STRESS INTERPRETED AS PERSONAL WEAKNESS ARE CITED AS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HIGH RATES OF ALCOHOLISM, BARBITURATE AND AMPHETAMINE USE, AND SUICIDE AMONG PATROL OFFICERS. RESOURCES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT (CHAPLAINS, PSYCHOLOGISTS) AND IN THE COMMUNITY ARE SUGGESTED TO HELP OFFICERS DEAL WITH THESE UNIQUE STRESSES. DISCUSSION GUIDELINES ARE INCLUDED. FOR THE OTHER TWO FILMS IN THE SERIES, SEE NCJ-38482 AND 84. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)