NCJ Number
78558
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1980) Pages: 1-15
Date Published
1980
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Strategies for preventing or alleviating stress among police officers are reviewed.
Abstract
A literature review on police programs for avoiding or reducing stress reveals virtually no empirical research on the issue; therefore, the strategies proposed are speculative regarding their value in preventing or alleviating stress. The strategies considered are divided into the broad categories of proactive and reactive approaches. Proactive strategies are designed to prevent the development of stress in police officers through training and education programs, better selection procedures, and a variety of administrative methods. When an officer is trained to meet the challenges of his/her job, stress is less than if the officer is incompetent to perform policing duties effectively. Training in communication skills, desensitization to stressful or dangerous situations, and the imparting of knowledge about diet and nutrition can also help reduce stress. Training in self-awareness can also help an officer deal more adequately with reactions to potentially stressful situations. Better selection procedures could screen out stress-prone applicants, and improved career development and placement alternatives could help reduce the frustration and stress of unresponsive administration. Other preventive programs include spouse programs and physical fitness routines for officers. Reactive strategies are aimed at eliminating current sources of stress or alleviating the consequences of stress. They are basically coping strategies and include counseling and rehabilitation programs. Direct relaxation techniques which cut across both types of strategies include biofeedback, meditation, neuromuscular relaxation, and electrosleep. The increased awarding of workmen's compensation for disabilities due to stress is also discussed. Three notes and 57 references are listed.