How stressful is LE?

[retdetsgt]

Let me also say this, you road dogs do not realize how hard it is to be a good supervisor.

I was a supervisor and being a supervisor is different from being a commander. I spent some time as an acting Lt. and it was miserable. I don't know how big your dept is, but in mine it's big enough that the troops don't deal with command, Sgts do.

I couldn't believe half of what I heard in those command meetings when I was acting Lt.! Whenever I mentioned that some goofy idea they came up with would be hard on the troops, I got this knowing look that they remembered that I really wasn't "one of them". These people make things stressful for the working people, they don't create their own!

There are things that help, like getting activities outside police work, but good training has nothing to do with it. Good training helps you with the public bad guys, not the command.

In the late 70's, the U of Oklahoma did a study on police stress at my Dept. They interviewed us before and after each shift, took BP and pulse, gave us all sorts of tests. The Dept said they would release the findings, but refused to when they were finally published. Finally, in the mid 90's, our union did a freedom of info act on them and got it. Guess what, it was the administration, not the street that caused the greatest stress in cops. That's why they refused to release it voluntarily. Instead of trying to do something about it, they just covered it up.

[Star]

Guess what, it was the administration, not the street that caused the greatest stress in cops.

I can agree with that. So, this is what the grievance process is about and where training comes in. Make those idiots get some good supervisor training! I went through quite a lot of it and it taught me a lot besides the fact that I do actually have a heart. That helps.

Someone here said something about not receiving courses for stress. My department sends us through everything possible on that subject. I found it strange that other departments don't. Go figure? I've even been through some meditation courses. I tried it and fell asleep at my desk. LOL! But after you master meditation, it's awesome.

[retdetsgt]

[QUOTE=Star]I can agree with that. So, this is what the grievance process is about and where training comes in. Make those idiots get some good supervisor training! I went through quite a lot of it and it taught me a lot besides the fact that I do actually have a heart. That helps.
QUOTE]

Every supervisor on my dept gets that training, but They're not supervisors, they're command. They've passed the supervisor level. They rarely even talk to the troops. And training isn't the issue with them, it's power. They are all in a constant battle for more power over each other. It's the same in just about any large police dept.

[retdetsgt]

Hmm, I can't edit that last post, so I'll just add another.

A supervisor in my dept deals directly with the troops. Almost all my troops were experienced and required very little supervision per se. What they needed from me was protection from the command. That was my main job, was to take what the command told me and make it work in a manner that did the least damage to the morale of my people.

I think I worked for only a few lieutenants who weren't looking for upward movement. Those were okay, but the ones eyeing captain were sometimes downright dangerous. They put their career over anything. Training will not change those kinds of personalities.

As far a grievance, that applies only to violations of the union contract. The union does not dictate departmental operational policy beyond days off, overtime and shift seniority. They have nothing to say about use of force, etc unless a member is charged with a violation. But use of force is only one minor way of screwing with the people.

[Star]

Every supervisor on my dept gets that training, but They're not supervisors, they're command. They've passed the supervisor level. They rarely even talk to the troops. And training isn't the issue with them, it's power. They are all in a constant battle for more power over each other. It's the same in just about any large police dept.

I know, I've seen it and it's disgusting. Thankfully, our County is trying so hard to get the Sterling Award that they've weeded out a lot of those people or they've retired and are running for public office. I laugh everytime I see someone has bombarded their political signs with tomatoes, eggs, bullet holes, etc. Come down and work with us, hon! I have to say it's an awesome place to work and there isn't as much of the power thing going on here anymore.

[retdetsgt]

Thankfully, our County is trying so hard to get the Sterling Award that they've weeded out a lot of those people or they've retired and are running for public office. I laugh everytime I see someone has bombarded their political signs with tomatoes, eggs, bullet holes, etc. Come down and work with us, hon! I have to say it's an awesome place to work and there isn't as much of the power thing going on here anymore.

Thanks, but I love retirement too much! :D 'Preciate the offer though...

Unfortunately, ours stay forever. I watched all the command we have come up the ranks. Most, with the exception of the chief himself and one asst. chief, were mediocre cops at best. I think they tried to do a reverse peter principle and rise to a level of competency. Most failed. As I said, the chief is a pretty good guy, but he's been a politician for a long time now. My old dept is about 1000K+ sworn so there's a lot of room for politics. I'm glad I'm gone. I had a lot of fun there, but three days after I retired I realized 85% of the stress in my life was gone. And again, it wasn't the bad guys causing it....

[fenderbender]

I would like to thank all who replied to my question. I appreciate the insight and hope to find out someday (soon!) what this life is about for myself.

[Old Trooper]

I never let the stress get to me.....I always liked to think of myself as a "carrier"....it gets me through the day!