Issues in Small Town Policing: Understanding Stress

• NCJ Number: 206698
• Journal: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 73 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2004 Pages: 1-7
• Author(s): Dennis Lindsey M.Ed.; Sean Kelly
• Date Published: July 2004
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews the general causes of stress for police officers and the distinctive causes of stress among small town police officers; strategies for individual officers and police agencies in managing occupational stress are suggested.

Abstract

Police officers are regularly responsible for answering calls and initiating actions that place them in dangerous situations. Further, they are expected to manage their anxieties and behavior in such a way that minimal harm is done to others while protecting themselves. This places police officers in emotional conflicts that require the suppression of instinctive reactions and the maintenance of behavior and image that projects rationality and professionalism. Over time the psychological effects of such stress reduces proficiencies of coping mechanisms and increases the risks for posttraumatic stress disorder, physical ailments, substance abuse, and suicide (suicide among police officers is three times greater than the national average). In addition to the foregoing stress-related factors common to policing, small town police officers have distinctive risks related to stress, including regular on-duty and off-duty contact with individuals who may become offenders or victims, critiques and rumors about an officer's off-duty behavior, and unrealistic demands from town officials and residents given the limited personnel and resources available. Police agencies must not only recognize and promote on-duty and off-duty measures that are effective in reducing the presence and management of stress among officers, but in the case of small-town officers, the community must be made aware of the need for officers to be genuinely off-duty when the time comes. Measures that individual officers can take are to eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, avoid the use of tobacco products, exercise daily, sleep a minimum of 8 hours every 24 hours, schedule time for themselves, take vacations, take time for hobbies, and have an annual physical.