Policing and Stress

If asked whether they believe policing to be more stressful than other occupations, most people, relying on their stereotypical understanding of policing, would answer yes. But does research on policing support this conclusion? Interestingly, researchers offer various answers to this question, and there is nowhere near unanimous agreement that policing is as stressful as people suppose. Some argue that in addition to the routine stressors of employment, police must confront dangerous and traumatic situations (e.g., high-speed pursuits, killing someone in the line of duty, and being physically attacked) that individuals in other occupations never face. Others contend that these high-stress situations occur so infrequently that the typical officer will never experience them and therefore they cannot be a significant source of stress. They contend that policing is really no more stressful than any other occupation. While there is no consensus regarding whether policing is more stressful than other occupations, most agree that job-related stress is an important issue for police. In fact, nearly every text on policing covers stress in detail; some even devote an entire chapter to it. One reason most authors of policing texts include a section on stress is because of the potential consequences of too much stress on officers. The effects of prolonged exposure to stressors are clear and include numerous physical, psychological, and social ailments. Physically, police officers are thought to experience high rates of disorders such as coronary heart disease, sleeping disorders, migraine headaches, and stomach ulcers. In terms of emotional problems, some studies show that police officers have high rates of anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Stress-related factors have been linked to the high rates of suicide, divorce, and substance abuse among officers. Additional consequences of chronic stress in the profession include a high incidence of low job satisfaction, absenteeism, burnout, and premature retirement. It is clear that stressed employees perform poorly on their job. This is especially pertinent for police officers, as one of the primary goals of policing is to serve the public, and when officers fail to meet this goal, the community may unduly suffer. In short, some scholars argue that members of the policing profession face numerous stressors that they are improperly coping with, and as a result, their professional and personal lives are disrupted. It may say something about employment in our society that we must continue to debate whether policing, which has never been highly coveted or materially rewarding, is a stressful occupation. Nevertheless, considering the potential adverse consequences on the well-being of officers and the community, it may be particularly important for those pursuing a career in policing to understand the sources of stress, its potential consequences, and the most effective ways to cope with it. After all, general job performance, decisions, and demeanor by police have serious consequences. This volume addresses the topic of police stress by bringing together top scholars from across the globe, including those from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. In addition, contributors to this volume come from a variety of academic fields, including sociology, psychology, criminal justice, and the health sciences, to cast the light of several disciplines on the matter. The first section of the book, titled "Sources of Police Stress," begins with an examination of the many causes of stress for police officers. By understanding the factors and situations that bring about stress, officers may be able to avoid stressful situations or at least minimize the harm from them. This section begins with an empirical study that investigates changes in the sources of police stress after the tragedy on September 11, 2001. In this chapter, Dennis Stevens begins with an overview ofCopes, Heith is the author of 'Policing and Stress', published 2004 under ISBN 9780131123717 and ISBN 0131123718.