Stress In Law Enforcement Essay

Communities are also affected by the extent of stress involved with its law enforcement agency’s officers. Negative stress on police officer’s can be very destructive within a community-oriented policing program. Studies have shown officers’ have subjected themselves to drinking alcoholic beverages as well as using or abusing controlled substances or prescription drugs while in the performance of their duties. Officers’ substance abuse negatively affects their communities in that they are unable to make coherent or sober decisions when faced with an incident where they are supposed to be in control to maintain good order and discipline within the community. Law enforcement agencies have implemented specific counseling options to address the effects of stress on its officers so they can obtain the help they need to get back into policing their communities effectively. This reduces the chances of police officers making poor decisions while in the performance of their duties. The ability of leadership to identify the stressors and to adjust …show more content…
Each policing style mentioned has various outcomes on their communities and is best judged through implementation and maintenance of the specific style used. These styles serve a purpose to facilitate meeting the societal needs of its community rather than that of the law enforcement agency or individual officers. Communities criticize the different policing styles when the styles seem ineffective or inefficient in mitigating or preventing criminal activity or criminal behavior within the community. Therefore, application of police-community relations programs developed into a need for every community to enhance community outreach and limit the stigma of law enforcement agencies as not