Emotional Survival in Police Work

Rick Bradstreet, Ph.D.

What is the Problem?

• Job stress + survival habits + emotional stoicism = emotional ambush

• Job stress: – Demand for quick action (adrenalin rush]– Seeing tragedy and death – Seeing people at their worst – Facing death personally

What is the problem? (con’t)• Survival habits:

– Stay cool and detached – Establish control – Look for the selfish motive

• Emotional stoicism: – Repress natural emotional response – Avoid analyzing internal reactions

Success Story: Critical Incidents• Before CISM: Officers quit police work

• The triggers: – Bizarre perceptions (Can’t trust own eyes) – Intense emotional response (I’ve lost it) – Persistent second guessing oneself

• The solution: – Explain the natural emotional process – Establish network of officers

Success Story (con’t)

• The result: – Officers recover quickly – CISM becomes profitable industry

Other Incidents Which Lead to Ambush • Adrenalin rush leads to risky behavior • Police suicide • Over-control of family leads to domestic

violence • Hyper-vigilance leads to anxiety • IA investigations lead to cynicism/burnout • Loss of family member leads to depression• Losing control in fight leads to anxiety /

panic attacks

Proposed Program

• Create In-service emotional survival class– Explain natural internal reactions – Provide tips on mastering internal

reactions

• Create network of veteran officers – Coach first-time officers – Promote emotional awareness / agility