NCJ Number
202760
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 70 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 36,37,39
Date Published
October 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses a training model developed to teach officer wellness and stress management.
Abstract
A model has been developed to help agencies and academies approach the personal and professional changes that occur in many police officers during their career. New officers enter the academy with enthusiasm, a desire to help others, and a dedication to making a difference. Over time, these officers become frustrated, angry, apathetic, and cynical. Some officers act out by using excessive force or demonstrating indifference in performing their duties. Continuing education and training often overlooks the veteran officer’s ability to recognize and effectively deal with the stress of the job. A training course was developed by the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) to raise the officers’ awareness of the potential for personal and professional changes in their careers; to help officers understand why changes occur; to teach officers techniques for avoiding possible change; and to prepare officers for leadership roles. An instructional training unit was developed to address leadership, ethics, personal wellness, financial planning, impact of the media on the profession, courtroom preparation and presentation, promotional assessment process, and professional liability. Nationally known educators in the field of police psychology were invited to teach the key instructional units. The total number of instructional hours in this course is 36, with 24 hours devoted to leadership, ethics, and physical and emotional wellness. Since its creation, the Veteran Police Officers Leadership, Ethics, and Wellness training has been delivered to more than 300 veteran law enforcement officers. Attendees and their chiefs have endorsed this program and called it essential to continued personal, professional, and law enforcement agency success. SLEA is now developing similar programs for police communications personnel and correctional officers.