Emotional Hazards of Police Work*

In the growing unrest of the world today, as reflected in campus revolts, anti-war demonstrations and urban problems, we are called upon more and more to use the services of our police. As psychiatrists who are often consulted by the community to assist in selecting the best possible men for this increasingly critical service, it is important for us to know the nature and stresses of police work, and the types of individuals who are presently performing these functions. Towards this end, I would like to share with you what I have learned about policemen and police work from direct personal experience as a New York City policeman (from 1940 to 1947), as well as serving the medical unit of the New York City Police Department as a psychiatric consultant for the past seven years. I have been able to participate and to observe the policeman in the performance of his duties. There has also been oportunity to examine eighty-five policemen who have required psychiatric evaluation as to their ability to perform police work.

First, let us consider the stresses of being a policeman. These stresses can be divided into two categories: 1) Stress which is due to the nature of police work and, 2) Stress which is a result of the nature of the police organization.

The job of being a policeman is unique. It is one of the few occupations in which one is feared, sometimes hated, occasionally reviled or even assaulted in the ordinary performance of one's duties. When we consider that most people need and want to be liked, and that the young patrolman starts his career by seeing himself as an individual who will help and protect others, we can understand what an emotional strain is placed upon him by the uncooperativeness, antagonism and hostility of the public whom he serves. Police work requires an individual to deal directly with people. It also demands the use of good judgment under stress. The policeman must have the ability to be flexible under stress and be able to adapt to rapidly c