Policing the violent society: The American experience

Abstract Contemporary law enforcement officers must function as counsellors, social workers, psychologists, negotiators and investigators, as well as traditional police officers. Their work alternates from dull and boring to moments of sheer panic, when life and death decisions have to be made in a matter of seconds. The combination of factors in police work–dealing with terrible situations and traumatized victims, and working under the threat of physical danger–results in overwhelming stress. It is this unusual amount of stress that makes explicable the fact that police officers in the United States have high rates of problem drinking, suicide and divorce. How exactly does stress cause attitude and behaviour changes, impair familiy and social relationships and develop cynicism, apathy and an unwillingness to seek help? This article explores these concerns and the early warning signs of poor adaptation to the stress created by policing violence. Some techniques to combat poor adaptation are also outlined.