A Link between Police Line of Duty Traumatic Events and PTSD Diagnosis

Introduction

Policing can lead to a number of situations in which officers experience a traumatic event. As Chopko and Schwartz (2012) show, there are a number of ways in which post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in officers can manifest itselffrom a dwindling of personal effort towards maintaining personal relationships to more on-duty assaults. An individual with PTSD requires treatment so as to be able to address the underlying issues that have resulted in the disorder. Treatment can come through a variety of interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, pharmaceuticals, strengthening a support system network, or counseling in order to help those diagnosed with PTSD return to work in an orderly fashion (Plat, Westerveld, Hutter, Olff, Frings-Dresen & Sluiter, 2013; McCanlies, Gu, Andrew, Burchfiel & Violanti, 2017). However, identifying PTSD among police officers can be the challenging part, and if it is not identified early on, officers personal and work relationships can suffer, their ability to function appropriately on the job can deteriorate, and their mental health can decline substantially (Andersen & Papazoglou, 2014; Chopko, Palmieri & Adams, 2018). In order to better identify the symptoms of PTSD, it is necessary to be aware of circumstances that can lead to the onset of PTSD so that officers and administrators can be vigilant in monitoring officers who have experienced a particular event. One theory is that there is a possible link between the experiencing of catastrophic events while on duty and the development...

However, more information is needed to verify this theory across a range of events.

Problem Statement

A better awareness of how traumatic stress experienced during catastrophic events while on duty can lead to PTSD is needed.

Purpose of the Study

This study aims to examine the possible link between traumatic stress experienced during catastrophic events by officers while on duty and PTSD.

Methodology

Using the interview method, this study will interview a sample of officers who have experienced...

…perception of an event and that even if an officer describes an event as normal or routine, it could be the case that the officer simply does not want to be seen as one who is blowing an experience out of proportioni.e., the officer is afraid of seeming weak or unable to do the job.

Potential of the Study

While it is too early to make recommendations, this study has the potential to be helpful for officers and administrators in the field of law enforcement in the sense that it may be able to give them a better sense of the issues related to PTSD and how traumatic stress can impact their mental and emotional health. By being aware of the types of environments and events that can potentially lead to PTSD symptoms, officers and administrators can better prepare themselves for what they may encounter in these cases to help mitigate the risk of PTSD developing. They may also be better equipped to monitor themselves and one another following such an event…