NCJ Number
102694
Editor(s)
J L Ryerson
Date Published
1985
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This 21-minute videotape uses several police work scenarios, accompanied by a psychologist's comments, to explain the causes of and common reactions to police occupational stress, emphasizing that police officers must express their feelings of fear, hurt, and rage to families and coworkers.
Abstract
Stress is inherent in police work, but chronic headaches, sleeping problems, indigestion, and irritability are signs that it is becoming a serious problem. When officers are dealing with a victim, they think that it could easily be a family member and then may be overprotective toward children and spouses. Police officers commonly cope with stress by joking about upsetting or dangerous incidents and drinking. Women picked up in bars become a ready source of sympathy. The videotape warns that moderate and large amounts of alcohol act as a depressant and exacerbate emotional problems. Dr. Lawrence Blum identifies four danger signals: irritability with family with no provocation; lack of communication with spouse; sleeplessness; and emotional expressions that are not appropriate for the situation, such as laughing instead of crying. He urges officers to talk about their feelings so they can control them, to participate in family activities, and to rejuvenate old hobbies.