The Burden of the Badge: Compassion Fatigue Across Three Police Agencies

• In Event: On the Front Lines: Mental Health and Stress in Policing and Emergency Dispatch

Abstract

Law enforcement officers routinely face high-stress situations and emotionally taxing encounters, often bearing the weight of others’ stress and trauma. Over time, this emotional burden can lead to compassion fatigue, a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that diminishes an officer’s ability to empathize and cope effectively. This study examines the prevalence of compassion fatigue among officers from three different law enforcement agencies in Texas. Using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale, we assess levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress among participants. Additionally, we explore how job-related stressors and officer characteristics may affect compassion fatigue. By identifying key factors contributing to emotional exhaustion and reduced resilience, this study aims to inform strategies for mitigating compassion fatigue and promoting officer well-being.

Authors

• Alejandro Coss, Tarleton State University

• Tara O'Connor Shelley, Tarleton State University

• Beck Munsey, Tarleton State University

• Julie Merriman, Northwestern College

• Sally Lewis, Tarleton State University

• Heping Han, Tarleton State University