Psychology Report

[TheDonna]

Okay so we only have one psychology report due for my class and I have an idea of what to do it on, the only problem is that I seem to have difficulties finding documented facts about the subject. I'm going to look at the big public library today to see if I can't dig something up and talk to my psychology professor about it but I wanted your opinion on my topic. As officers, maybe you would know whether this subject would actually have any basis or whether it just sounds like a load of hog wash.

I'm extremely interetested in the psychological and physical effect that the law enforcement career has on its officers.

I wanted to look at a few different angles.

One: Homeostasis. What effect homeostasis has on officers (or actually the lack of homeostasis). The randomly changing shifts, odd hours, long hours and perhaps the inability to attain homeostasis due to these. The inability to attain homeostasis can cause heart attacks (among other things). 9 officers this year alone have died of heart attacks.

Two: Insomnia. Insomnia, which could be a factor of the things experienced on the job or the hours and shifts (insomnia would be another factor reguarding the inability to attain homeostasis). Insomnia could eventually lead to alcoholism, increased stress while on the job and psychological disorders.

Three: Experiences. Things seen, heard and experienced while on the job and how it effects officers psychologically and physically.

Well, there it is. What do you think?

Do you think my idea has any grounds to look into it further? =/

[GoDirectly2Jail]

You definitely have grounds to go on. I found a scholarly article for you for #2.

Title: Sleep Disorders and Daytime Sleepiness in State Police Shiftworkers
Author(s): Garbarino, Sergio
Journal Title: Archives of environmental health
ISSN: 0003-9896 Date: 03/01/2002
Volume: 57 Issue: 2 Page(s): 167

I'm certain there exists other research regarding #3.

[Joeyd6]

I like #1

[sgtbear111]

You may want to research police related materials that are in labor law and workplace safety. The outcomes of the three areas you are looking into often become the topic of labor and workplace disputes. Individual officers appealing discipline for policy violations may cite these workplace issues in the public court records.

The stress can come from the street, from the changing hours, however much of it comes from management. I do not equate management to leadership. I speak of the management as the "liability" types, the nit-picking, risk avoidance micro-managers who will Monday morning quarterback the actions of officers. They tend to be political animals and will believe the media version. They often have little, poor, or no experience of the streets, and a lot of them are lawyers. There is a huge difference in mindset and methods of solving problems, thus the gap between management and leadership.

[Samuel]

Who you callin' a homo?!

[Trip]

You may want to research police related materials that are in labor law and workplace safety. The outcomes of the three areas you are looking into often become the topic of labor and workplace disputes. Individual officers appealing discipline for policy violations may cite these workplace issues in the public court records.

Donna, I hate to answer something that was specifically directed to LEOs, but I can tell you the military was rife with homeostasis (not homo, Samuel ) issues when I was in, and you can probably dig up a lot of related research from the experience of military people to support the same assertion for police personnel. For example, I worked in the National Military Command Center of the Pentagon where three teams covered every hour of the day. Each team would do the following routine: 6AM - 2PM for six days and then four days off; then move directly to 2PM - 10PM six on, 4 off; then 10PM - 6AM, six on and four off....but then have to go right back to the 6AM - 2PM shift and repeat the routine. I did that for three years straight and I can tell you all of us had sleep issues, driving issues, etc. and I believe the military has become more sensitized and changed it due to the more informed understanding of homeostasis. There were lots of jobs that did something similar to your inner clock in the military. FWIW.

[Samuel]

did you miss the ??

[Trip]

did you miss the ??

Oh, sorry, my bad, Sam-mule, I knew you were kidding.....let me go insert the jester in my original post as well, lol. Touche'

[Trip]

Good now? Left coast is happy now? Btw, Sam-mule, you never answered my question from ions ago about whether you're a native of Virginia. Are you one of the originals? Cause most of us in the northern part AREN'T, LMAO.