As police professionals progress through their careers, they encounter a variety of potentially stressful situations related to their job duties and the communities they protect. Through the process of recruit training and probationary assignments, police professionals are influenced by several factors that define their identities and guide them on their professional growth. Environmental, personal, and psychological variables interact and influence police professionals throughout the various stages of the police lifespan. Based on reactions police have to certain internal and external stressors, their decisions regarding social, personal, and professional choices can be affected and may lead to dysfunctional behaviors and activities. Once a forensic psychology professional understands the potential reactions to, and causes of, stress, their influence and subsequent consequences can provide prevention or intervention strategies to ensure a police professional's successful progress through the police lifespan.
• Review the article, "The Relation Between Mindfulness and Posttraumatic Growth: A Study of First Responders to Trauma-Inducing Incidents." Consider the potential police reactions to trauma-inducing incidents.
• Review the article, "Police Trauma and Addiction," and consider the connection between stress and addiction.
• Review the article, "After Facing Traumatic Stress: Brain Activation, Cognition and Stress Coping in Policemen." Consider the possible reactions to stress that police professionals could have and why.
• Review the article, "Predictors of Police Suicide Ideation," and think about the possible negative reactions to stress that police professionals could experience.
• Select two possible reactions to, or outcomes of, stress that police professionals could experience throughout their professional lifespan. Think about which outcome or response is more likely and consider why.
a description of two potential police professional reactions to, or outcomes of, stress. Analyze and explain which reaction or outcome you believe is more likely,