PSYCHOLOGY AND POLICE WORK (FROM POLICE WE DESERVE, 1973 BY J. C. ALDERSON AND PHILIP J. STEAD - SEE NCJ-25835)

• NCJ Number: 25840
• Author(s): J HILTON
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: Wolfe Publishing Ltd
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THIS REPORT DESCRIBES BRIEFLY THE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS ON POLICE PERFORMANCE AND THE WAYS THAT THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY CAN BE UTILIZED TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS AND ELICIT APPROPRIATE RESPONSES.

Abstract

STRESSES INDUCED BY SHIFT WORK, ESPECIALLY SHIFTS FROM 10 PM TO 6 PM ARE THE RESULT OF BODY TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIALS. STRESSES CAN ALSO BE CAUSED BY LACK OF PROPER EATING HABITS (THUS A LOWER BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL) AND LACK OF GOOD SLEEP HABITS. POLICE (AND PEDALE) UNDER STRESS HAVE A HARDER TIME ASSIMILATING INFORMATION THAN WHEN THEY ARE NOT UNDER STRESS. THIS CAN EXPLAIN MANY INADEQUATE REPONSES THAT ARE MADE UNDER PRESSURE IN VERY COMPLICATED SITUATIONS SUCH AS MILTI-VEHICULAR COLLISIONS IN WHICH OFFICERS WILL ADMINISTER FIRST AID TO THE FIRST CASUALTY ENCOURTERED RATHER THAN TREATING THE MOST SERIOUSLY INJURED. OTHER FACTORS ARE ALSO CONSIDERED.