Police Stress Research Paper

What is stress?

Concise Oxford Dictionary defines Stress as “pressure or tension exerted on a material object, in physics the magnitude of this is measured in units of force per unit area, a state of mental, emotional, or other strain or particular emphasis, the emphasis given to a syllable or word in speech.

No one clear definition exist on what exactly is stress however, the factors that are likely to contribute to its development can be psychological, physical and physiological in nature. In 1946, 1976, researcher Hans Selye advanced the concept of stress to life sciences defining it as the organism’s response to demands placed on it.

Within society stress is a common factor, but the way in which it manifests itself is dependent on a

From the time of reporting for duty and being posted to their patrol route, things will seem relatively routine. However, a rather uneventful day can become be a day where they can encounter pain, death, and suffering in various forms, at times, these encounters may be criminal or non-criminal by the occurrence. Police officers are often the first persons to be called to the scene of trouble as the guardians of law and order, are thus exposed to trauma, both physical and emotional. They frequently have to deal with individuals who are antisocial, antiauthority, angry, violent, emotionally disturbed, manipulative, under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Additionally, in the work environs rigid rules, the regulations, threat of disciplinary action for failing to adhere to laws, policies, public expectation and procedures further create added stress. Many police officers find it difficult to build and sustain relationships outside of professional life since there is often a sense that persons outside of the organisational circle do not understand the pressures of the job. In recent times, other sources of stress have emerged namely; the fear of contracting HIV/AIDS other communicable diseases, being “politically correct” in dealings with the society’s cultural diversity and the transition to and implementation of community

Start by paying attention to your physical and emotional health. When your own needs are taken care of, you’re stronger and more resilient to stress. The better you feel, the better equipped you’ll be to manage work stress without becoming overwhelmed. Taking care of yourself doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul. Even small things can lift your mood, increase your energy, and make you feel like you’re back in the driver’s seat. Take things one step at a time, and as you make more positive lifestyle choices, you’ll soon notice a reduction in your stress levels, both at home and at