Major Causes of Stress Among Law Enforcement Personnel
Law enforcement personnel are exposed every day to human indecency and pain. Their work involves dealing with suspicious and sometimes hostile suspects which take a toll on their health. Long-term environmental stress
presented by their work also leads to health complication risks. Despite their effort to protect the public, police's work policies should also factor in the stress associated with their work and the related health
complications.
Police have the responsibility of protecting citizens where in the process have to take the frontline in defense. The desire to protect individuals is a noble cause but comes with a great responsibility that evokes strain thereby leading to stress (Garbarino, Chiorri, & Magnavita, 2014). According to Garbarino et al. (2014), the police have to contain their emotions even when provoked by rowdy citizens forcing them to act with intelligence and tolerance. In the long run, this brings out stress among the officers who struggle to cope with the emotions.
Administrative policies and procedures may also lead to stress. Police rarely participate in the formulation of these policies; hence, they can add to the stress. One-officer patrols create a reduced sense of safety and
anxiety (Stevens, 2007). Internal investigations launched against the officers also create an environment of mistrust. An officer may feel like they have fewer rights than the criminals they bring to justice (Stevens,
2007). In the same line, police officers live in isolation owing to their badges, guns, and uniforms that limits the ability of the citizens to interact with them freely.
Health complications related to police stress include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Stress prevents the normal sleeping times recommended for an officer (Stevens, 2007). Sleep
deprivation is associated with the excessive drinking of alcohol and abuse of drugs. Stevens (2007) asserts that sleep deprivation and alcohol can lead to impaired speech, impaired coordination, and poor decision making.
Anxiety and isolation are also precursors of depression. If left unmanaged, PTSD ensues, and this subsequently affects the performance of the officer. Stress in policing, therefore, contributes to both physical and emotional problems. Despite the effort by police to protect the public, it is prudent for the relevant administrations to formally recognize the effects of stress and the possible health complications.
References
Garbarino, S., Chiorri, C., & Magnavita, N. (2014). Personality traits of the five-factor model are associated with work-related stress in special force police officers. International archives of occupational and environmental health, 87(3), 295-306.
Stevens, D. J. (2007). Police Officer Stress: …
