Exploring Stress and Vicarious Trauma Among Specialized Law Enforcement Officers

• In Event: Police Stress: Domestic and International Explorations

Abstract

It is well-documented in literature that law enforcement professionals experience higher than average levels of stress in comparison to the general population. Few studies have been done, however, concerning the different types of stress and stressors that exist among officers serving in specialized roles within law enforcement community. Cybercrime examiners may be regularly exposed to child pornography and graphic materials with psychological consequences in and out of the work place, relative to patrol officers who may witness a variety of traumatic situations, including traffic accidents, homicide, suicide, abuse, and death of fellow officers. As a result, the law enforcement community is at high risk to suffer what is known as vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma is a term that refers to the emotional and physical reactions that an individual may experience from witnessing trauma, often similar to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Do stressors manifest differently with particular job assignments/history? Do agency factors play a part? This study will examine the levels of job stress and satisfaction among a sample of law enforcement officers in specialized investigative roles to document their occupational reactions.

Authors

• April Wall-Parker, NW3C

• George W. Burruss, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

• Thomas J. Holt, Michigan State University

• Gerald Cliff, National White Collar Crime Center