NCJ Number
44970
Date Published
1975
Length
140 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK IS INTENDED AS A GUIDE FOR WIVES OF POLICE OFFICERS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR HUSBANDS' WORK AND COPE WITH THE PECULIAR STRESSES IT CAN EXERT ON THE FAMILY.
Abstract
THERE IS A NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' WIVES AND FIANCEES OF WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BEING MARRIED TO A POLICEMAN, OF THE TYPE OF WORK THAT HE DOES, AND OF THE PROBLEM AREAS COMMON TO A POLICE FAMILY. THE WIFE IS FAMILIARIZED WITH THE VARIOUS DUTIES THAT THE OFFICER MAY BE ASSIGNED, SO THAT SHE MAY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. UNUSUAL ASSIGNMENTS MAY INCLUDE UNDERCOVER WORK, DISASTER RELIEF, AND COURT APPEARANCES, ANY OF WHICH MAY KEEP THE HUSBAND AWAY FROM HOME LONGER THAN THE NORMAL WORKDAY. THE STRUCTURE OF THE POLICE FORCE AND PROMOTION PROCEDURES ARE EXPLAINED. IT IS STRESSED THAT THE POLICE WIFE MUST BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING WHEN HER HUSBAND IS SUFFERING FROM THE EMOTIONAL AFTERMATH OF THE VIOLENCE HE MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED ON THE JOB. OTHER EMOTIONAL AFTEREFFECTS OF HIS WORK MAY INCLUDE FRUSTRATIONS IN COURT WHEN A CRIMINAL IS RELEASED ON A TECHNICALITY; CHRONIC SUSPICIOUSNESS; ALCOHOLISM; CYNICISM; AND 'HEART TROUBLE' (BECOMING HARDENDED TO THE VIOLENCE AND PAIN HE SEES). THE WIFE IS ENCOURAGED TO HELP HER HUSBAND DEVELOP OUTSIDE INTERESTS, HOBBIES, ACTIVITIES, AND PARTICULARLY A STRONG RELIGIOUS LIFE. SHE SHOULD BE READY TO RESCHEDULE HER HOUSEHOLD DUTIES AND ARRANGE FOR SOMEONE TO CARE FOR THE CHILDREN SO AS TO RESERVE SOME TIME FOR THE COUPLE TO SPEND ALONE. FINANCES ARE DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN HIS HOLDING A SECOND JOB TO SUPPLEMENT THE FAMILY'S INCOME. HANDLING NEGATIVE PUBLIC OPINION AND THE INEVITABLE DISAPPROVAL OF ACQUAINTANCES ON LEARNING OF HER HUSBAND'S OCCUPATION IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT LESSON GIVEN FOR THE POLICE WIFE. AN INDEX AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.