25 Jul Law Tools for Law Officers to Better Handle Stress
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Janel postLaw enforcement is indubitably a stressful occupation. So far in this course, we have learned about the many factors that contribute to police officer stress. According to Territo and Sewell (2019), stress in police officers can be attributed to the administrative culture inside of a law enforcement agency, the traumatic events that law enforcement officers experience, and frequent rotating and irregular shifts. In addition to the stress experienced by the men and women that protect life and property, studies have found that police officers have a problem with identifying and managing stress. Law enforcement-related stress is manageable when it is better understood and identified appropriately. In the following paragraphs, this discussion will address the early stress management techniques and the stress management techniques used in law enforcement today.Stress Management TechniquesEffective stress management is crucial for law enforcement as it prevents negative impacts and severity of stress such as alcohol abuse, suicide, and suicidal ideations. Territo and Sewell (2019) identify several early stress management techniques that law enforcement officers can implement to minimize the adverse effects of stress and stress in general. These authors suggest that training, counseling, adequate sleep, exercise, and proper dieting can reduce stress. These stress management techniques also benefit law enforcement officers in ways other than reducing stress. Each promotes a healthier lifestyle. In a stress management study conducted by Ermasova et al. (2020), these researchers surveyed 427 law enforcement officers in Illinois, USA. The study concluded that exercising is one of the main stress relievers for law enforcement officers.Techniques used today to reduce stress in law enforcement officers include strengthening coworker and peer cohesion, enhancing officer resiliency, and stress management skills. Territo and Sewell (2019) state that strong peer cohesion contributes to officer resilience. Resilience in law enforcement officers and stress management have been comprehensively studied. In a study conducted by Romosiou et al. (2018), it was found that strengthening resilience is an effective stress management technique that reduces stress and improves performance among police officers.ConclusionIn this discussion, an examination was made on the factors that contribute to law enforcement stress and the subsequent stress management techniques that police officers can utilize to reduce stress. Studies have found that too much stress can produce adverse effects that affect law enforcement officers’ emotional and physical well-being. Fortunately, as this discussion has revealed, there are multiple techniques that officers can employ to reduce stress. Many of these techniques provide officers with more benefits than reducing stress. Scripture states “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad” (King James Version, 1769/2017, Proverbs 12:25). Anxiety and stress in law enforcement not only weigh officers down but influences negative behavior such as infidelity, substance abuse, and suicide. Nonetheless, law enforcement officers can overcome stress through prayer and with adequate stress management techniques.ReferencesErmasova, N., Cross, A. D., & Ermasova, E. (2020). Perceived Stress and Coping among Law Enforcement Officers: an Empirical Analysis of Patrol versus Non-patrol Officers in Illinois, USA. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 35(1), 48–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-019-09356-z (Links to an external site.)King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)Romosiou, V., Brouzos, A., & Vassilopoulos, S. P. (2018). An integrative group intervention for the enhancement of emotional intelligence, empathy, resilience and stress management among police officers. Police Practice and Research, 20(5), 460–478. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2018.1537847Territo, L., & Sewell, J. (2019). Stress Management in Law Enforcement, Fourth Edition (4th ed.). Carolina Academic Press.
