NCJ Number
202920
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: 2003 Pages: 419-438
Editor(s)
Lawrence F. Travis III
Date Published
2003
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study examined the types of traumatic events Swedish police officers are exposed to, the types of memories that they retain, and what problems they encounter in coping with stressful events.
Abstract
Previous research has shown that police officers are heavily exposed to a variety of traumatic events in their work. In addition, prior research has indicated the risk of traumatic stress reactions in response to these events and the need for support to those involved. Most of this research has been from both the United Kingdom and the United States. This study investigated situations perceived as stressful by Swedish police officers and the type of help and support they received in connection to these situations. In order to find out what situations were perceived as traumatic and stressful, a large group of Swedish officers were asked to describe, in a written interview, the most traumatic event they had experienced in the line of duty. Then, they had to rate their feelings and memories related to the event, what support they had received from superiors, and how they had worked through the event. A total of 162 police officers, 124 males and 38 females between 29 and 60 years of age, participated in the study. The traumatic events reported by the police officers occurred between 1965 and 1997 with a total of 32 percent of the reported events having occurred during the first 5-years of the officer’s career. In 40 percent of the cases the duration of the experienced event was less than 1 hour and for about 8 percent of the respondents the event lasted more than 24 hours and concerned investigations and/or interrogations. All police officers were able to describe one or more traumatic events while on duty. The traumatic events often remained in their memories in the form of visual, tactile, and olfactory sensations. The findings support previous research showing that attention is focused on key aspects of the traumatic events. In conclusion, many of the traumatic events reported occurred many years ago, early in the officers’ careers, and officers often had vivid memories of the event even after a long period of time had passed. The officers were not very well prepared or trained for the type of situation that they were involved in and many did not receive support from their superiors. Most the help received by officers was obtained by talking to fellow workers or close family members. References