n day-in and day-out. However, this emotional detachment or depersonalization can cause many disturbances within the family system. For example, lack of intimacy between the spouse and the officer, as well as between the officer and child/s may occur. Also, the officer may appear to be distant, withdrawn, noncommunicative, which can lead to a broken marriage. Authoritarianism is a characteristic of police work. If an officer feels inadequate or that he/she has a lack of control over decisions that affect their work, the officer may overcompensate for this deficit at home. The officer may become rigid, overly demanding, and sometimes physically abusive. This situation makes if very difficult for a family to function normally and will create a disfunctioning/disorganized household. Coping mechanisms must be utilized to successfully combat the stressors of police work as well as to learn to become resistant to them. It should be the responsibility of the law enforcement agency to provide the families of officers with the resources necessary to successfully cope with ongoing stressors. Officers and their families need to be educated on the occupational stressors that exist and the effects those stressors may have--not only on the officer, but also on those close to him/her as well (family members). Ongoing trainings and workshops on coping with stress for officers as well as spouses should be incorporated into other trainings or added separately so that the officer and spouse can attend together. Also, support groups for spouses should be formed, as well as support groups for officers. Spouses and Officers need to be educated on the signs as well as the effects of stress. Law enforcement agencies must go beyond departmental boundaries to assist the families when an officer in involved in a critical accident. Social workers and psychologists must be available to both the officers and the officer’s family members at all times. However, ...
