Stress is one of the factors affecting the well-being of individuals in the contemporary society. The way it manifests depends on a person's lifestyles, and nature of work one undertakes (Ewa, " Małgorzata, 2014). A personal experience of stress is depended upon the environment, sociocultural situation, and several contextual factors. Occupational stress is a matter of concern in the current scenario. According to Ewa, " Małgorzata (2014), it makes one experience psychological and physiological challenges. The police force is an occupation that has numerous stressful factors. Police officers play a vital role in maintaining the disciplinary and legislative function of the society (Ewa " Małgorzata, 2014). Despite their positive roles, police officers face numerous kind of stress which are caused by several reasons.
First, the police are constantly exposed to people in distress and pain. According to Kazmi, " Singh (2015), the nature of law enforcement jobs involves interacting with those who are affected by criminal activities. Such people are always in pain from injuries which are difficult to handle. Sometimes the police have to examine a crime scene littered with dead bodies. The unfortunate fact is those police officers usually spend most their time around people in pain, suffering, and sadness. Indeed, such experience can torture their minds hence causing both emotional and psychological stress.
Second, stress among the police officers may be caused by being exposed to harsh environment hence posing a threat to their safety. Many police officers usually are deployed in areas with high rate of crime; consequently, they experience physical danger on a daily basis. When in such kind of environment, the risk of either being injured or killed by criminals always weigh heavily on their mind thus causing a great deal of stress (Kazmi " Singh, 2015). Several police officers have undergone counseling after experiencing traumatizing events.
Another reason for stress is due to the inclusive nature of police work. Police officers handle many investigations while at the same time required to protect the public from any attack. In addition, during hard times their services are normally required. For instance, during disaster occurrence, they work with the disaster response team to manage the prevailing situation. All these mixed roles pose both physical and psychological stress.
Recommended Strategies to deal with Policing Related Stress
Since the police officers undergo various occupational stressful scenario, it is vital to develop stress reduction strategies. The strategies should include both the personal and organizational stress management. Incorporating both methods will ensure police officers work in a peaceful environment.
Personal management measures include avoiding the use of alcohol and hard drugs as a way of easing stress. The effect that these substances have will not reduce stress but worsen the situation. Second, the officers should engage in a healthy style like better diet and exercise regularly. Of course, this will improve the body and mind resilience to a stressful situation. Nonetheless, police officers should minimize conflict both at home and in the working environment. Paton, Burke, " Violanti (2009) posit that wasting energy on trivial matters may lead to unnecessary stress.
On the same capacity, organizational stress management would be useful in reducing policing related stress. First, allocating financial resource within the law enforcement department will ease the workload and make the work environment convenient to work. The police department should also introduce “a person-job fit-analysis” for each recruit. Notably, this will enable the officers to find posts that suit their personality hence helping them in eradicating work-based stress (Kazmi " Singh, 2015). The police should be provided with employee assistance programs which include insurance coverage. Furthermore, teaching coping mechanisms will enable police to comprehend on how to cope up with crime, death, and boredom-related stress.
In summary, policing job is prone to various occupational stress. The police officers face painful experiences which affect their physiological, psychological and physical wellbeing negatively. Therefore, proper strategies should be adopted to help them deal with prevailing stressful condition. Indeed, this will bolster their service hence improving the country security standards.
References
Paton, D., Burke, K., " Violanti, J. M. (2009). Traumatic Stress in Police Officers: A Career-Length Assessment from Recruitment to Retirement. Springfield: Charles C Thomas.
Ewa, S., " Małgorzata Anna, B. (2014). Chronic fatigue and strategies of coping with occupational stress in police officers. Medycyna Pracy, Vol 65, Iss 2, Pp 229-238 (2014), (2), 229. doi:10.13075/mp.5893.2014.033
Kazmi, A. B., " Singh, A. P. (2015). Work-life balance, stress, and coping strategies as determinants of job satisfaction among police personnel. Indian Journal of Health " Wellbeing, 6(12), 1244-1247.
