The Police force in any country is entrusted with the responsibility of maintenance of public order and prevention and detection of crimes. The constant increase in crime rates, and the resulting security conscious society, has increased the demand for police jobs in India and across the world.
Police men and women make our communities stronger and safer every day. In doing so, they see daily conflicts, incidents, accidents and violence. This stress and pressure add up. Trauma can begin to impact their health. However this trauma and its effects are highly treatable.
Some trauma and stressors experienced by police officers may include the following:
- Witnessing violent crimes
- Entering dangerous situations such as violent households or robberies in progress
- Entering in dangerous car chases
- Constant stress of not knowing if criminals have a weapon or an intent to harm
- Witnessing disasters, acts of terrorism and murder
- Working with traumatized victims of crime
- Accidentally or purposefully having to shoot another person
- Witnessing or accidentally being involved in injury or death of a comrade
- Fear of riots or retaliation
WHAT CAUSES STRESS?
Police officers face many different types of stress. According to the National Institute of Justice, the following are work-related and individual factors that are likely to cause stress and fatigue in law enforcement officers.
Work-related factors are caused by:
- Poor management
- Inadequate or broken equipment
- Excessive overtime
- Frequent rotating shifts
- Regular changes in duties
Individual factors include:
- Family and relationship problems
- Financial problems
- Health concerns
- Difficulties from working second jobs to make extra income
According to the article, “Police Stress: Identifying & Managing Symptoms of Stress,” these stresses are caused by:
- Constant exposure to people suffering distress and pain
- Threats to an officer’s safety or health
- The responsibility of protecting the lives of citizens
- Having to be in control of emotions even when provoked
- The inconclusive nature of police work
- The quickly alternating pace of the job
CONSEQUENCES OF STRESS:
Just as in any profession, untreated stress can lead to serious consequences. According to “On-the-Job Stress in Policing: Reducing It, Preventing It,” some of the more common consequences of job-related stress reported by police officers are:
- Cynicism and suspiciousness
- Emotional detachment from various aspects of daily life
- Reduced efficiency
- Absenteeism and early retirement
- Excessive aggressiveness
- Alcoholism and other substance abuse problems
- Marital or other family problems
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Heart attacks, ulcers, weight gain, and other health problems
- Suicide
How Do We Help Police Officers Address Trauma and stress?
The World Health Organization explains that stress management techniques and healthy coping mechanisms, both learned through therapy, are effective tools for immediately responding to stress and its effects.
Several forms of therapy are effective methods for treating trauma. The shame and stigma surrounding getting help needs to be removed. Cops feel like they need to be superheroes. Or they may worry about their job security if they speak up and advocate for their own and othersmental health. However, the only way to manage trauma and its effects is to treat it.
At some point, everyone feels stressed. But for police officers, stress can have a major negative impact on their lives.One of the biggest problems for police officers is that stress can go unrecognized and unacknowledged.
Officers are under constant stress and do not take the time to seek treatment. Many times they deny the stress they are experiencing for fear of being viewed as weak or not being able to handle their job.
Policing is a highly specialized type of work unlike many other professions. Police officers with stress-related symptoms and depression require help, and in good time. There have been various incidents of utmost significance that reflect the need for psychological intervention in the police service.
The general objectives of counselling are to help police officers grow in self-confidence, understanding, self-control and ability to work effectively.
