NCJ Number
53209
Journal
Police Stress Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (FALL 1978) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Editor(s)
E C DONOVAN
Date Published
1978
Length
48 pages
Annotation
THIS JOURNAL INCLUDES ARTICLES BY MEDICAL DOCTORS, POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR SPOUSES, AND POLICE CHAPLAINS AND ADMINISTRATORS REGARDING VARIOUS EFFECTS OF POLICE STRESS AND STRESS ALLEVIATION.
Abstract
SEVERAL ARTICLES ADDRESS PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTIONS AND STRESS RESULTING FROM LONG AND IRREGULAR WORK SCHEDULES; CONFRONTATION WITH INJURY AND VIOLENCE; CONTACT WITH A PREJUDICED, SUSPICIOUS, AND HOSTILE PUBLIC; AND DISILLUSIONMENT AND DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE JOB. THE EFFECTS OF POLICE STRESS INCLUDE DEPRESSION; SLEEPLESSNESS; OVERACTIVITY OF THE ADRENAL GLANDS; REDUCTION IN PRODUCTIVITY; AND A TENDENCY TOWARDS GAMBLING, DRINKING, AND SUICIDE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT OFFICERS STAY WITHIN THEIR OWN STRESS LIMITS AND EXERCISE REGULARLY. POLICE STRESS IS PARTLY A MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION PROBLEM. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO OFFICERS AND SHOULD ASSUME THE RESONSIBILITY FOR REFERRING OFFICERS TO PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES WHEN NECESSARY. POLICE EDUCATION AND TRAINING SHOULD EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ALLEVIATING AND RECOGNIZING STRESS AND OF SUPPORTING PERSONS SUFFERING FROM THIS AFFLICTION. THE BENEFITS OF PEER COUNSELING TO ALLEVIATE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS ARE CONSIDERED, AND AN ARTICLE OUTLINES MEASURES FOR DEALING WITH GAMBLING HABITS THAT RESULT FROM STRESS. THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER GENERAL STRESS AWARENESS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR POLICE IS DISCUSSED AS WELL AS A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE AND THE DALLAS, TEX., INSTITUTE FOR AEROBICS RESEARCH TO EXAMINE THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS PHYSICAL CONDITIONING PROGRAMS ON POLICE OFFICERS. A STUDY OF SUICIDE AMONG POLICE IS ALSO PRESENTED WHICH EXAMINES DATA ON A SAMPLE OF 12 DETROIT OFFICERS WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE AND A POLICE WIFE DISCUSSES THE EFFECTS OF SHIFT-WORK AND WORRY, ON A MARRIAGE, AS WELL AS THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN OFFICER AND HIS PARTNER. (DAG)