There is the increased prevalence of high-level stress across police force. Certain legislative moves are undertaken to improve this situation, but the primary concern is to identify work-related stress elements. Most of their stress goes unacknowledged. They work on regular basis and do not find time to get treated. National Institute of justice identified some individual factors that are responsible for stress. They are present in law enforcement officers mainly.
Police work is stressful for many reasons, mainly increased exposure to the confrontation with terrorism and violence. The police force is in a position to make public secure and provide them security. These factors include
- Poor management
- Excessive overtime
- Inadequate equipment
- Health issues
- Financial problems
- Work shifts on rotating basis
- Frequent change in duties, and
- Two jobs
Police officers have to face daily responsibilities that make them feel stressful. They are always in continuous exposure to pain and distress. The nature of police work is stressful and alternate placement of work need an alert person every time. The stress in police force is due painstaking factors and its consequences are adverse to police officers health and performance.
Such situation is a threat to police officers’ health. They are burdened with the responsibility of protecting and securing the nation. On the job stress is a vast subject that global police force faces. Such stress factors lead to severe consequences in life. For instance, suspiciousness and cynicism, excessive aggressiveness, reduced level of efficiency, emotional detachment from regular life, post-traumatic stress, suicide and heart attack are adverse side effects.
These effects are linked to physical activities. However, such factors can be reduced by modifying shifts and helping law enforcement officers in reducing their stress. The stress is reduced by providing them quality meals, regarding health and providing them personal downtime and vacations.
Police officers can fight their risk by treating them well and consulting physicians for regular checkups. By reducing the overtime and sharing their workload, they can get relief from hectic routine. It can help develop healthy habits, relieving mental stress and providing them pleasant environment. Creation of patrol buddy plan may also be helpful for them to organize their activities and keep a check on one another.
Living within financial means offer relaxation, but limited financial resources are also the leading cause of mental stress and fatigue. Moreover, creating a useful workout program may help them have the better approach.
Managing stress is not difficult, yet it takes monitoring approach. Providing stress-free environment is a responsibility of government institutes and a justice system. Too much work pressure is a cause of stress in police force. It is dangerous for muscles and reduces well being. Adverse effects of stress are many, and they hinder the progress and performance. Creation of balance in personal life and work life is critical for police force because they regularly confront violent situations. Providing a socialization approach will benefit them in creating balance in their life.
Setting goals are necessary and will help them avoid procrastinating. It will help them allocate time for their responsibilities. The effective management is essential to bring peace and create the harmonized environment. This will help officers to identify what stress factors they are facing and how to identify them. Stress in police force is manageable.