NCJ Number
50870
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1978) Pages: 36-40
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF POLICE WORK PRESSURES AND SUGGESTS METHODS FOR ALLEVIATING THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE OFFICERS AND SOCIETY.
Abstract
THE REALITIES AND STRESSES OF THE POLICE OFFICER'S JOB CAN RESULT IN EDGINESS, HEALTH PROBLEMS, MARITAL DIFFICULTIES, AND PSYCHOSOMATIC SYMPTOMS. INTERNALIZATION OF FEELINGS, RESULTING FROM THE DEMAND FOR RESTRAINT, CAN HAVE DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BODY AND MIND. THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STRESSORS ARE IDENTIFIED: (1) EXTERNAL FACTORS, (2) INTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS, (3) POLICE WORK ITSELF, AND (4) INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS. THE STRESSORS WHICH SEEM TO BOTHER THE OFFICERS MOST ARE THOSE WHICH THREATEN THEIR POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE. STRESS EFFECTS CAN BE CONSIDERED IN TERMS OF MENTAL STRAIN, PHYSICAL STRAIN, AND SOCIETAL COSTS. SHORT TERM AND CHRONIC EFFECTS OF JOB STRESS ARE EXAMINED IN VIEW OF THEIR POTENTIAL FOR ANXIETY, TENSION, FEAR, DEPRESSION, FATIGUE AND ALIENATION. PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS LEADING TO MEDICAL DISORDERS ARE DISCUSSED. CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO THE ECONOMIC LOSSES FOR SOCIETY RESULTING FROM THE STRESS-RELATED EFFECTS ON THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TAX-SUPPORTED POLICE ORGANIZATION. DEATH CERTIFICATES, MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS, AND GENERAL HOSPITALS WERE SURVEYED TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR A COMPARISON OF THE STRESS EFFECTS RELATED TO POLICE WORK AND TO OTHER OCCUPATIONS. THE SURVEYS FOUND A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS RELATED TO POLICE WORK STRESS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT CONTROLLABLE STRESSORS BE MODIFIED SO AS TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE PRESSURES ON THE POLICE OFFICER. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (JCP)