Post-traumatic effects in policing: perceptions, stigmas and help seeking behaviours

Abstract

This study explored the relationships between perceptions, stigmas and support with help seeking amongst police officers. A total of 421 web surveys were completed by constables from a large municipal police force in Canada. The most significant finding was the relationship between officers feeling comfortable disclosing distressing personal information and seeking help from others. Help was most commonly sought from respondents' friends (at work and outside) and family members. Respondents shared information with their direct supervisors only when there was a strong, reciprocal relationship between them. Implications for future research and practice for help seeking in police occupations are discussed.

Mental Health in the UK Police Force: a Qualitative Investigation into the Stigma with Mental Illness

“…Because police officers are typically regarded as self-reliant, tough and aggressive (Soomro and Yanos 2018), any display of emotional response to work stressors will risk them being stigmatised for appearing weak (Kurtz 2008). Any vulnerability may cause colleagues to distrust their ability (Heffren and Hausdorf 2016). This negative mindset from colleagues and line management leads to the individual feeling uncomfortable in sharing any psychological suffering for fear of the repercussions, resulting in many continuing to suffer in silence, thus preventing early psychological intervention (Garbarino et al 2013).…”

“…However, there still remains a gap between acknowledging this need and a call to action (Johnson 2016). A willingness to speak with others in a supportive environment is critical in help-seeking behaviour (Heffren and Hausdorf 2016).…”

“…Cumulative exposure to a number of potentially traumatic situations is an integral part of operational policing (Tuckey et al 2012), and thought to be a predictor for the development of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs) (Marchand et al 2015;Marmar et al 2006), depression, anxiety and other stressrelated conditions (Husain 2014). If left untreated, mental ill health has the potential to adversely affect workplace performance and future career prospects (Heffren and Hausdorf 2016). The cost of stress-related illnesses for officers is viewed in the context of individual mortality and morbidity, culminating in reduced productivity, sick leave and premature retirement (Collins and Gibbs 2003;Summerfield 2011).…”

Suicide Exposure in Law Enforcement Officers

“…LEOs are routinely exposed to trauma in a myriad of ways, including the witnessing of the aftermath of interpersonal violence, motor vehicle accidents, child abuse, the possibility of having to be the initiator of violence in life‐threatening situations, such as an officer‐related shooting, as well as homicide and suicide. One study confirmed that most police officers (76%) are exposed to major traumatic events other than suicide, with one third reporting the trauma exposure was personally traumatic for them (Heffren & Hausdorf, ). LEOs acknowledge the importance of trauma on their colleagues, with one study finding over half of the participants having personally known LEO who “changed” after experiencing a traumatic event (Fleischmann, Strode, Broussard, & Compton, ).…”

“…For example, police officers who experienced a traumatic event reported a higher percentage of suicidal thoughts (27.2%) when compared to those who did not report experiencing a traumatic event (7.7%) (Fleischmann et al., ). Despite these research findings, many LEOs do not acknowledge the trauma to which they are exposed, or attempt to deal with it on their own (Heffren & Hausdorf, ).…”