NCJ Number
54079
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 12,16-18,20-21
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE MARITAL STRESSES, PHYSICAL STRESSES, AND PROBLEMS IN FRIENDSHIPS WITH THOSE NOT IN POLICE WORK WHICH ARE PECULIAR TO THE POLICE PROFESSION ARE REVIEWED. JOB STRESSES WHICH COMPOUND THE SITUATION ARE LISTED.
Abstract
THIS, THE FIRST PART OF A TWO-PART ARTICLE, LAYS OUT THE PROBLEM. THE DISCUSSION IS BASED ON A STUDY OF PHILADELPHIA, PA., POLICEMEN, BUT SECTIONS FROM STUDIES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE QUOTED. FIRST, THE SOCIALIZATION OF A YOUNG POLICE RECRUIT IS DESCRIBED. THE PROCESS TEACHES THE YOUNG OFFICER TO DEAL WITH THE REALITIES OF DEATH, CRIME, HUMAN NATURE, AND BOREDOM ON THE JOB WHICH ARE AN INTERWOVEN PART OF POLICING. HOWEVER, IT ALSO CHANGES THE OFFICERS' OUTLOOK SO THAT MANY OF THEIR ATTITUDES SEEM STRANGE OR CRASS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THIS COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEM IS MADE WORSE BY SHIFT WORK, THE NEED TO WORK ON HOLIDAYS, AND POOR PAY SCHEDULES WHICH OFTEN MEAN OFFICERS HAVE TO WORK A SECOND JOB TO SUPPORT A FAMILY. THE COMPLEX INTERACTION OF CONTINUALLY CHANGING SHIFTS AND FAMILY STRESS WITH REDUCED SELF-ESTEEM, ANXIETY, AND CONFLICT PRESSURE IS DESCRIBED. THIS CONFLICT, PLUS THE HARDENING OF EMOTIONS NECESSARY FOR DEALING WITH POLICE WORK, LEADS TO MARITAL DIFFICULTIES AND HIGH DIVORCE RATES. IN NEW YORK POLICE ALSO HAVE TWICE THE SUICIDE RATE OF THE WHITE MALE POPULATON. JOB STRESSES WHICH INCREASE THE OFFICER'S PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ARE LISTED. THESE RANGE FROM POOR SUPERVISION, LACK OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INEFFECTIVE COURT SYSTEMS, AND EXCESSIVE PAPERWORK, TO THE PHYSICAL DANGER OF THE JOB. BETTER PAY SCHEDULES AND SHIFT CHANGES ARE RECOMMENDED. THE SECOND PART OF THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF PILOT PROGRAMS TO ALLEVIATE THESE JOB STRESSES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED.