ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q4-2024

Policing is an inherently stressful occupa tion. According to a 2024 Business News Daily report, law enforcement is one of the top 10 most stressful jobs in America. Stress is part of every police officer's life, it's how one handles the stress that is the most important. Hans Selye , founder of the stress theory, once defined stress as the "response of the body to any demand, whether it is caused by, or results in, pleas ant or unpleasant conditions" (1976). As a 30-year retired law enforcement officer, I not only know but felt stress daily as an officer on the streets and while working in administration. Stress is real and chiefs and sheriffs should never overlook it. The dam age stress can do to one's body and mind can be unthinkable O fficers must make a conscious effort to control stress in their lives. The damage and dangers associated with stress when it deals with the human body are high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, headaches, obesity, and much more. The number of officers who die by suicide each year can outnumber officers killed in the line of duty. In 2023 the number of suicides for officers soared to 183 (FBI, n.d.) The divorce rate among officers has ranked at the top of the list for police officers in America. The national average for divorce ranks around 50% but when it comes to officers it can be as STRESS DON’T WAIT TILL IT'S TOO LATE, TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH NOW GARY METTS, DBA, MPA, NA SESSION 202

FBINAA.ORG | Q4 2024

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