Building resiliency among law enforcement officers

Law enforcement officers are frequently exposed to stressors such as organizational and operational stress. These sources of stress have the potential to manifest or cumulate over time and lead to various negative consequences for the officers. In addition to these sources of stress there are also critical incidents which can lead to trauma. Trauma also has several negative consequences for officers such as physical and mental health issues. If left untreated, these issues have the potential to manifest and develop into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can develop when individuals experience or witness a traumatic event (Parekh, 2017). PTSD can occur in any population or ethnicity and is prevalent in approximately 3.5% of adults in the United States according to Parekh (2017). The rate for law enforcement officers is much higher. Carleton, Afifi, Taillieu, Turner, Krakauer, Anderson, and McCreary (2019) found that approximately 44.5% of Canadian Public Safety Personnel screened positive for PTSD. Fortunately, there are several protective factors that can mitigate the negative effects of PTSD for law enforcement officers. These include Critical Incident Stress Management, Strong and Effective Leadership, Peer Support, Mindfulness, Road to Mental Readiness, and Employee Assistance Programs.