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Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement

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Submitted By dkelley120
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The book, Stress Management for Law Enforcement, written by Dr. Kevin M. Gilmartin, Ph.D. is a must read for all law enforcement personnel. Law enforcement professionals are faced with many challenges in their personal lives and professional careers. These challenges, often predictable and preventable, can become dangerous problems. Consequences such as unemployment, divorce, lost friendships, and even suicide may not be eluded if self-help is avoided. However, the choice of becoming a “survivor” instead of a “victim” is that of each and every police officer who risk their lives every day. In the text, Dr. Gilmartin discusses cynicism and the effect it can have on an individual. Our every day dealings with people can cause law enforcement officers to form a very negative, distrustful mindset. This may very well benefit us in our professional life, but it can be very devastating in our personal affairs. Police officers easily blame cynicism on their experiences at work, but many fail to recognize the longterm effects it has on living a normal social, family, and emotional life. We must take the time to survive emotionally and avoid cynicism-based thinking and decisions. The consequences may be irrevocable, compounding the stressors already caused by the job. Most police officers start their careers with a solid sense of self—they have healthy relationships, high values, solid beliefs, goals, hobbies, and are physically fit to name a few (Gilmartin, p. 74). As officers live their “dream,” they are challenged to maintain an upbeat perspective on their emotional stability. This healthy sense of self begins to disappear and all dimensions in their life diminish. All that remains for many is the role of being a cop and nothing outside of the job. The author describes this as the “I Usta” syndrome and its long-term effects of hyper vigilance (Gilmartin, pp. 74-75). The

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