A career in policing can be exciting and challenging.
Many police officers begin their careers eager and enthusiastic with the goal of “making a difference.” Policing can also be viewed as one of the most stressful occupations in existence. In Canada, police face a significant risk for death [homicide] and suicide. There are an increasing number of assaults on police members, with some Canadian jurisdictions showing 50% of officers having experienced being a victim of an assault within a one year period. In addition police are involved in driving hazards, traumatic critical incidents and exposure to a variety of infectious diseases such as Hep B, Hep C and HIV. Secondary sources of stress and trauma include a condition known as “compassion fatigue”, the acute and cumulative distress normal people experience when witnessing or hearing about dreadful things that have happened to others. In essence, it is the continued exposure to human misery. Read More
Additional Stressors for Women in Policing
According to Sousa and Gauthier 2008, research in both the United States and Europe indicates that police forces experienced a great deal of conflict when first allowing women entry into the field (Brown 1997, 2000). In addition, this research suggests that opposition continues to the present day, where female officers experience resistance from both male officers and some sections of the public (Brown 1997). The resistance manifests itself in sexual harassment, gender discrimination in assignments and promotion, and a general lack of concern for integrating women into police departments. Given that women compose 12.7% of sworn police positions but only 9.6% of supervisory positions (in large agencies), it is important to examine the potential barriers to their promotion and success (Lonsway et al. 2002).
What if there was a prevention strategy to combat “Cumulative Stress Syndrome?”
There are numerous reports on how a specific traumatic event can have a detrimental effect on a person’s mental, physical, and emotional state (‘Critical Incident Stress’). As a result of the research focusing on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, most police forces have solid policy and procedure to help its’ members who are exposed to highly traumatic situations. However, what support or prevention exists for police officers who experience stressful situations that accumulate over time? What tools are available to prepare police officers for thriving in a highly stressful career? How are the Empower Zone programs different?
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