NCJ Number
152044
Journal
Police and Security News Volume: 10 Issue: 6 Dated: (November/December 1994) Pages: 3,5-7
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article suggests ways in which police officers who have shot and killed a suspect can deal with the physical and psychological symptoms of stress that may follow.
Abstract
One important step is to appreciate that the physical symptoms are real. They may include loss of appetite, constant fatigue, headaches/dizziness, digestive problems, sexual dysfunctions, and nightmares and flashbacks. Mental and emotional symptoms must also be recognized. These may include anxiety attacks, guilt, feelings of helplessness, and depression. Officers who do not experience post-event symptoms should not worry that they have become hardened and insensitive. They may simply have prepared themselves mentally and physically for the use of deadly force such that adverse reactions are minimized. Officers who do experience adverse symptoms must realize that these symptoms will pass with time, but the length of time required will vary according to the individual officer and the nature of the incident. Instead of trying to forget the incident an officer should talk regularly about it with a good and noncritical listener. Other suggestions for addressing the aftermath of a shooting are to exercise, stay busy, do not self- destruct, accept the normalcy of what is happening, interact with others, ignore distractions, do not commit to a guilt "trip," and do not resist getting appropriate help when it is needed. A checklist for "emotional first aid" is provided.