2. Law Enforcement in the 90’s
Peak of “Crack wars”
Highest Murder rate in History
of U.S.
NYC had record 2,245 Murders
LOD deaths dropped
to an average of 160 a year
down from 229 in 1970
3. How did crime affect the police?
Returning vets from the Gulf war
High rate of traumatic incidents
PTSD
Crime added high rates of stress
4. What is Police related stress?
Child ejected from vehicle
Witnessing a firefighter fall from a
building
Shootout where a cop is shot or killed?
Marriage problems
Alcohol problems
A combination of the above
5.
6. Job Stress
A harmful and physical emotional response
that occur when the requirements of the
job do not match the capabilities, needs or
resources of the worker
PTSD experiencing a trauma or life
threatening event and having symptoms
such as hyperawareness or nightmares
Normal reactions to abnormal situations
9. How can stress be
prevented and treated?
St Paul Fire and Marine
Insurance Co.
Stress Management
Positive Organizational change
1. I.D. the problem
2. Design and implement
interventions
3. Evaluate the Intervention
10. What are long term affects
of stress and PTSD?
High rate of work
related accidents
Work errors that are
attributed to stress and
PTSD
Alcoholism, DV, mental
illness and suicide
11. Police Suicide Statistics
Dept. Dates years size suicides
Chicago 90 – 98 9 13,500 22
NYPD 85 – 98 14 40000 87
Third leading cause of death 15 – 24 year olds
Firearms leads cause of death with 55%
Veterans account for 20% of suicides according to the
VA
Police Officers are two to three times more likely to
commit suicide than be killed in the line of duty
12. Key Questions
Do you know a police officer who
has experienced a traumatic
incident?
How did your department handle it?
How could your department better
take care of its members?
What are the repercussions?
