Officers at risk

de Dennis L. Conroy, Karen M. Hess

Stress identification and management for police officers and correctional officers is examined at the individual and organizational levels. Part one defines stress as an officer typically experiences it at different stages of a police career. Current theories of victimization are highlighted to include the emotional and cognitive stages of victim experiences. The post-traumatic stress disorder and its diagnostic criteria are discussed with particular focus on effects on personal and professional lives and compared with the work experiences of police and correctional officers and the combat experiences of Vietnam veterans. The second part discusses the price that police and correctional officers pay: Loss of innocence; cynicism and negativism; loneliness and sadness; isolation; and a constricted and inappropriate affect. The third part examines the implications of the stress for individual officers, for their families, for the police department and prison, for those involved in training and supervision, and for counselors who deal with these officers. The last part presents plans to prevent individual burnout and contains many suggestions to prevent organizational or institutional burnout.