February 1981 - San Francisco Police Officers Association

3IK33COflTIflUêother people. We are usually the first ones on the scene ending investigation from the time of the shooting untilimmediately after a death or we are involved in a situa- the inquiry is complete. Throughout the investigationtion where the person dies in our ,presence. You might stress is compounded by the often sensational publicitycome upon a car accident and a person is looking up to which affects not only the officer but extends as well toyou to save their life. You tell them they will be OK, his family.when deep down inside you know they will never make -it. Or you may be rushing a person to the hospital withthe siren blasting and the blue light flashing. Yourheart is racing with time, trying like hell to get thisperson there and they die on the way.An officer is often confronted with different situationsthat most persons in the world can walk awayfrom or are able to avoid during a lifetime. We cannot,however, leave the scene where some kid has beencrushed by the tire of a truck or mangled by a freightelevator; or, where an entire family has been murderedby a deranged father. We still must try to control ourown emotions. An officer on the scene of a suddendeath many appear too callous and unconcernedbecause he has an investigation to do, a call to place foran ambulance, or reports that he must prepare whichare necessary in police work, but in reality he has emotionsthat he is. trying to deal with at that I particulartime He may go home and take off his gun but it isdifficult to escape his feelings. No one can remain unaffectedby the sight of a young boy who has hung himselfin his own home or the experience of soothing his lovedones who cry to you. As an officer you have to try to protector insulate yourself from becoming emotionally involved,a difficult task for any human being. We arenot made out of stone.Law enforcement is unquestionably an occupationwhere one of the hazards is that you might get shot,stabbed, or killed. Police officers are sitting ducks inuniform, whether in a police car or on the street. It isalso a job where one has the awesome power tolegitimately take a human life usually to protectanother person or one's self .You may never have to fireyour weapon during your police career, but theknowledge that you could and the fact that you have thepower to do so is ever-present. When you do fire yourrevolver there is the added stress of a seemingly neverTHE WINE SHOP• - 2175 CHESTNUT.STREETSAN FRANCISCO 94123(415) 5674725Seasons Greetings to theS. F.- Police & Their Families- - - . SANFRANCISCOPOLICEMAN - Pagell February 1981When the television news has a report concerningthe police, we usually relive a past experience of ourown, and realize that what is being repotted in no wayresembles the actual truth of what the police possiblydid at the scene; it is but an encapsulated representationof what was a crisis situation. A cop out on thestreet knows this and it is always at the back of his mindin every decision he makes. He knows that he will bejudged by the public and his own department oneverything he does. I wonder how many officers arekilled or injured in the line of duty each year who mayhave been burdened by this added stress at decisionmakingmoments. Could it be possible that they mighthave had their weapons at the ready to protectthemselves if this stress was not there?In addition to being the buffer of society we have ourown stress from within the organization itself. We areexpected to follow orders in a military manner, stand atattention at roll call, ordered to enforce laws (for example,school busing regulations) that are in direct conflictwith our Own values. We are given new sets of rulesand regulations as to how to accomplish the job, but weare not given any voice in policy-making. Constantlydecisions are being made for us, and then, placed outon the streets of the real world, we are made to assumethe responsibility of a one-man police department, usingour own discretion in decision-making, and Godhelp us if we make the wrong ones. Each officer mayfeel he is working in a punishing system; do somethingright and it's O.K. but foul up and you are in trouble.Of course reports and investigations must be seen tocompletion. These functions are constant reminders ofthe beefed-up internal affairs units (comprising hearingsor inter-department trial boards, and federal investigations)which dictate our routine.Working under such conditions it is no wonder thatas an occupation police work ranks high in alcoholism,SANSOME STREETBRASSERIEFrench California CuisineCocktails and Fine WinesPersonalized Private Parties411 Sansome Street San Francisco 94111Between Sacramento and Cla y 981-0940divorce, suicide, heart attacks, absenteeism, etc.A recent study done by the National Institute of OccupationalSafety and Health (NIOSH) ranking professionalsfor stress interviewed more than 2,300 police officersfrom 29 departments around the country. Thestudy discloses that 37% of the officers have seriousmarital problems, 36% serious health problems, 23%serious alcohol problems, 20% serious problems withtheir children, and 10% problems with drugs. In fact,stress is without question an occupational hazard ofpolice work, contributing to a greater amount ofsuicides each year. Various other studies have shownthat the suicide rates among law enforcement officersare estimated between two and six times the nationalaverage. Divorce rates are nearly twice as high as forother occupations. Police work also has one of thehighest rates of heart attacks, stomach disorders,premature death and diabetes.The constant censorship of the court and the public,coupled with the frustration and lack of support fromwithin the organization, the officer is expected to handleassignments that they know they are unable to handle,which may be a leading factor for the turnoverand burnout rate in policing. Society has a way to ventilate.What provisions are made available for a law officer to air his disatisf action and despair?The future of law enforcementWe need more stress-training in all areas of law enforcement,starting with the new recruits and theirspouses, followed by in-service training, supervisortraining, physical fitness programs, relaxation programs,and confidential counseling programs for theofficers and their families.Officers must be taught to recognize the onset of -stress and how to cope with it in a constructive ratherthan a destructive manner. They must be made torealize that they will experience fear on the job and thatthis is normal. Officers must be educated that it is notunmanly to cry and that it is 'o.k.' to seek outside helpfor a problem he feels he can't handle. Police officersneed a place to turn to in their time of need.1 =MONDAINESLIQUORS - -DELICATESSENLiquor * Beer * WineI Phone:346-3226 1758 fillmore St. IIYour headquarters for all your liquor needs. 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