Tough Moments and the Good Ones (From Treating Police Stress: The Work and the Words of Peer Counselors, P 82-97, 2002, John M. Madonna, Jr. and Richard E. Kelly, -- See NCJ-197081)

• NCJ Number: 197087
• Author(s): John Madonna
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Members of the Worcester Police Department's Stress Unit (Massachusetts) reflect upon the cases they perceive as being the most difficult and those they view as satisfying.

Abstract

Among the difficult cases mentioned by the members of the stress unit are cases that involve adverse officer career changes, marital difficulties, domestic violence by officers, police shootings, officer alcohol addiction, officer suicides and suicidal threats, the death of a fellow officer, and officer involvement in criminal activity. The most satisfying cases are those with successful outcomes in which an officer involved in a stressful situation is able to counter its destructive effects and achieve a positive outcome. Cases whose outcomes are particularly satisfying to the members of the stress unit are those in which an officer addicted to gambling, alcohol, or drugs overcomes or effectively manages the addiction; the saving of a marriage and family threatened by an officer's stress-related behavior; and cases in which particular interventions by stress unit members have resulted in behavioral and attitudinal change in an officer for the better.