1. AJ 53 – Police Field Operations
Chapter 14 –
Officer Survival and
Stress Reduction

2. Hazardous Duty Law Enforcement is potentially very dangerous work
Each and every contact could be fatal!
High-risk situations, arrests, etc.
Most officers stay very safe due to…
Extensive Training
Mental & Physical Preparation
Crisis-Management Skills
Sometimes Stress is the greatest enemy!

3. Officer Survival Skills
Must be ever alert, but not paranoid
Situational-Awareness is key to survival
Play the “Crisis-Rehearsal Game”
Refer to list on pages
“Routine” calls/contacts often most dangerous
May let down your guard
Not expecting trouble
Self-preservation is key to helping others!

4. Rules of Officer Survival
Complacency Kills!
Expect the unexpected
Watch the Hands!
Most likely source of danger
Use Proper Handcuffing/Search Techniques!
Expect resistance/Expect to find weapons
Never Give Up!
Will to survive is huge advantage
Train! Train! Train!
As if your life depended on it, because it does!

5. Stressors in Police Work
Unsuitable Personality
Not everyone has what it takes
Disillusionment
The job is not what you expected
Isolation
From friends, family, etc.
Exposure to Death and Violence
May become routine part of the job

6. Stressors (continued)
Fear
Natural/healthy response (not = cowardice!)
Frustration and Anger
Dealing with belligerent/disrespectful people
Helplessness/Sympathy for Others
Efforts to help not always successful
Inner Conflict
Fear, use of force, unethical practices

7. Stressors (continued)
Bureaucratic/Organizational Problems
Budget restrictions, equipment, resources
Lack of communication, leadership/decisions
Lack of recognition for efforts
Limited Opportunities for Advancement
Lateral/Promotional, Unfair process
Over-worked
Insufficient staffing for workload
Under-worked
Can lead to boredom

8. Dealing with the Stress
Pre-Employment Research
Take classes, ask questions, investigate individual departments
Positive Family Relationships
Maintain open lines of communication!
Off-Duty Interests and Activities
Sports, hobbies, creative outlets…

9. Critical Incident De-Briefing
Officers likely to encounter very dangerous/traumatic situations
Accidents, murders, rapes, molestations…
No shame in feeling the effects of emotional trauma
May sometimes have delayed onset
PTSD
Many Departments require some type of post-traumatic intervention
Request it if not offered!