Police Stress and Burnout

Police Stress and Burnout .................................................................................... 56 Symptoms of Stress ............................................................................................... 58 Five Phases of Elevated Risk (Separate Levels of Intensities associated with Distress) ........................................................................................................ 58

Cautious/Apprehension Phase ....................................................................... 59 Conflict/Altercation Phase ............................................................................. 60 Pinnacle Phase ................................................................................................. 60 Relief Phase....................................................................................................... 60 Reflection Phase ............................................................................................... 60

Distress (Bad Stress) vs. Eustress (Good Stress) ............................................... 61 Distress ................................................................................................................... 61 Eustress .................................................................................................................. 61 Job-Related Factors of Stress ............................................................................... 62 Criminals: Us against Them Mentality .............................................................. 63 High Energy: All of the Time ............................................................................. 63 Always Be in Control ........................................................................................... 64 Anxiety due to Lack of Trust ............................................................................... 64 Broken-Down Equipment ................................................................................... 65 Making an Arrest: Preliminary Investigator ..................................................... 65 Writing Reports .................................................................................................... 65 Going to Court ...................................................................................................... 66 Cannot Control the Department, Policies, or Procedures .............................. 66 Working Off Duty (Side Job) .............................................................................. 67 Weight Gain: Where Are the Donuts? ............................................................... 68 Low Morale ........................................................................................................... 69 Lack of Career Opportunities (Promotions) .................................................... 70 Cynicism ................................................................................................................ 71 Bullshit and Assholes ........................................................................................... 73 Only Police Friends ...............................................................................................74 Shift Change .......................................................................................................... 75 Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue ............................................................................ 77 Causes of Police Fatigue ...................................................................................... 78 Time of Day ........................................................................................................... 78

Like a combat soldier in the military, police are never off duty. Most combat or military tours of duty last from 2 to 4 years unless the soldier reenlists. Imagine a police career only lasting that long, reenlisting if the need arises. Yet a typical police career that can secure a pension can last a minimum of 20 years and is oftentimes longer. A police career depends on whether the officer maintains his good health and if he feels he can still be productive in the law enforcement field. In Chicago, it is not unusual to have an officer work 37 years and a day in order to secure 75% of his pension. Most officers will leave the job if they are financially secure and are in good health so they can enjoy retirement while they are still young. A few officers make law enforcement their personal crusade, staying until they are forced out, mainly due to age requirements. In Chicago, it is mandatory for an officer to retire once he turns 63 years of age, no matter if he is the best officer in the city or the most decorated. Many officers will work as long as they are physically capable, productive, and still in good health.