NCJ Number
80754
Journal
Police Stress Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1981) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1981
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This series of articles discusses some of the causes and remedies of police stress.
Abstract
The opening article recounts the feelings and responses of a police officer's wife as she learns of and reacts to the on-duty killing of her husband. Lessons for police officers and their wives in dealing with the stress of the occupation are drawn. Next, steps a police officer can take in relieving occupational stress are discussed, including developing a sense of humor, using leisure creatively, maintaining physical fitness, and cultivating the religious dimension of one's life. The third essay focuses on police nutritional needs which, if not met, can aggravate stress. The minerals, vitamins, and foods that can aid in coping with stress are identified, along with those that tend to produce negative physical effects under stressful conditions. The role of a police wife in helping reduce the occupational stress of her husband is discussed in a brief article, and citizen letters to a police officer and a police officer's wife who appeared on the Phil Donahue television show to discuss police stress are presented in another article. The ministry of the police chaplain in helping officers deal with stress, the stressful aspects of the secret service agent's job, and debilitating reaction to stress are discussed in other articles. The negative effects of fatigue and denial of physical and mental limitations are also considered. Photographs and drawings are included.