STRESS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

NATIONAL-LOUIS UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

The Effects of Stress on the Performance of Law

Enforcement Officers

A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE DEGREE

MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY

XXX-XXXX

MARY MADSION TILLERY

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the effects of stress on officers' ability to perform their duties of service to protect the public. It was hypothesized that stress is negatively related to the performance of officers. This study was designed as a quantitative analysis to examine the relationship between stress and the performance of officers. The study targeted officers in five adjacent districts of a large Midwest city. Fifty police officers were asked to participate in this study by completing a survey with a return rate of 68 percent. The study found a positive relationship between officer's performance and the praised they received. The information gained helps to better understand the officers' need for adequate support services. Future studies should determine if results generalize to other officers.

The Effects of Stress on the Performance of Law Enforcement Officers

We all experience stress at some point of time or the other. When we cannot “manage our physical, psychological and sociological demands”, we are said to be under stress (citation needed). Factors that make us stressed are usually known as stressors. Because of the fact that we generally tend to misuse terms and use them loosely, the word stress rings a bell in our minds and we associate it with negativity. Technically speaking, stress is necessarily Neither negative nor positive. It becomes negative or positive depending on how we perceive it and how much it effects us (Porter, 2008). (Violante 2006)

As a police officer, I understand that police officers encounter stress on a daily basis. Stress may be linked to various sources and presents itself in many forms. These sources may be caused by internal or external pressure, but no matter what the cause, the stress related pressure is known to affect success in some way. (Wells 2003)

It appears that conflict is one of many effects of stress. Officers who experience unresolved stress can undergo conflict in their personal lives, particularly among family and friends. They find themselves lacking confidence in areas where they once demonstrated courage. They also develop poor sleep habits due to shift work because when officers are assigned to a shift, they must work regardless of holidays or other special occasions. Many officers find it difficult to adjust to this single issue, let alone having to always work on holidays and special occasions. However, there are many sources and causes of stress among this population and therefore reactions may vary. For instance, many officers react to situations in different ways, something that could be considered severely stressful to one officer, may have little to no effect on another officer. (Violante 2006)

One officer may thrive with excitement to meet a project deadline, while another may become anxious and even lose sleep trying to meet the same obligation. These observations along with prior ...