Dealing with stress

A policeman’s struggle doesn’t stop once his shift ends. Trauma, PTSD, and fitting in with civilians all compound the problems an officer faces in the field. Research has shown that police have higher suicide rates than the general public. Dealing with the emotional problems that arise from having a tough job like policing has gotten better. Before in departments across America there was a ‘Tough Guy’ attitude that police officers shouldn’t seek out a psychiatrist or mental help. This mindset has changed and now almost every city has a counselor to deal with the traumatizing experiences that comes with the job. Officer Larson revealed one experience that was tough to handle. It was a snowy winter’s night, and he got a dispatch for a two year old girl “Acting Funny” when he arrived at the scene, she was not breathing and he started CPR. Once the paramedics arrived they brought her to the hospital, but she was later pronounced dead. Larson says “Law enforcement is realizing that for high stress, emotional encounters we have, we need to talk about it afterwards.” This is where the counselors come in, to help officers relieve some of the stress that comes with the profession.

Larson also affirms that having friends that aren’t police officers helps cops adjust back to civilian life and not dwell on the hardships of the job. But getting back to civilian life is just that – trying to get back to it. As the saying goes, crime never sleeps, so cops can’t either. For Officer Larson’s wife, Shelby, it can be tough. “It is definitely hard not having him around for holidays/big events.” She said. But the stress is there everyday when he goes to work, not just at Christmas dinner when there is an empty seat at the table. “The scariest part about being married to a cop is knowing after a shift, he may never come home. His life’s in danger every day.” These are the sacrifices patrolmen make – missing big holidays, moments with their children, and putting their life on the line – all in the name of duty, honor, and service to their community. It’s a sacrifice that cannot be overlooked.

It’s crucial for community-police relations that we understand what our men and women in blue face day in and day out. “Whenever someone tells me their dog won’t bite, I just don’t know,” affirmed Officer Larson. “I don’t know your dog, I need to take precautions.” These precautions may range from watching your dog, or if a car is pulled over late at night unbuckling his holster for a quick draw on his pistol. Citizens need to understand the situations police are placed in and that their lives are at stake everyday. With this information we must do everything in our power to help diffuse tense confrontations. My father told me that if I ever get pulled over, I should roll my window down, turn on the dome lights, and put my hands on the steering wheel. Simple gestures like this and staying calm while working with police will help prevent miscommunication, which in some instances has lead to violence.