By Irene A. Blake Updated June 17, 2022
Cops deal with a wide variety of situations and emotional and physical challenges that they might define as the worst part of the job. According to Georgia Public Broadcasting, such stresses have resulted in more resignations among cops. So, what are the challenges of a police officer? Taking a look at the details can help you decide if being a cop is the right career move.
Witnessing People's Suffering
Because of regular interaction with people, and the nature of law enforcement and emergency duties, cops often see people suffering. They bear witness to the physical and emotional harm and struggle of adults, children and even animals from actions taken by those who break the law, or from natural or man-made emergencies. This answers the question, "Is being a cop hard emotionally?"
Grief and sadness from being close to this suffering, coupled with feelings of helplessness, anger or frustration about the amount of assistance the police can provide, can take a toll on the minds and bodies of police officers.
Relaying News of a Death
Cops don’t want to cause pain to the people they serve and protect. Many say that delivering the news of a death is the worst part of their career because the message causes people pain. Cops faced with this duty often don't know how people will react to the news and find it difficult coping with the range of different reactions that can occur. Additionally, some cops must cope with people who react by verbally or physically lashing out at the messenger.
Losing a Colleague
According to the University of Delaware, police officers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. This means many cops regularly attend police funerals and deal with related grief and depression.
Cops usually face the public with controlled emotions and can find it difficult to grieve openly or watch fellow officers grieve. Some struggle with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, along with a mix of anger and relief at being a survivor. If a colleague died on duty, or took his own life, some struggle with guilt over the belief that they could have prevented the death.
Coping With Personal Life
Is being a policeman hard on your personal life? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cops often work long hours, irregular shifts, nights, holidays and may be on call. This results in missed opportunities to build and grow stable relationships with family and friends.
Many have difficulty connecting with loved ones, or seem emotionally unavailable or overly negative because they can’t forget or share some of the things they've seen. They may feel they can't give up the emotional self-control, cynicism or other behaviors that help them react to work situations. Additionally, many cops struggle with mental or physical health issues from exposure to high stress, injury and diseases.
FAQs
Police work is rife with circ*mstantial stressors. Our fuses and energy become short with sleep deprivation, long shift hours, societal isolation, and continued exposure to negative human elements. Because police officers are in constant danger, we are also overly suspicious of everything and everyone.
What are the downsides of being a cop? ›
Con: Health and wellness effects
Commenters cited a variety of different trauma-related effects of serving in law enforcement long-term, including PTSD, nightmares, hyper-alertness, insomnia and loss of empathy. One commenter also noted the physical danger of working in law enforcement.
What is the most stressful part of being a police officer? ›
Work Stress
Lack of peer support and trust. Social and family influence. Bureaucratic characteristics of police organizations. Lack of coping mechanisms.
Is it hard being a cop? ›
Police work can be hard on the body as well as the mind, and applicants need to be in good health in order to handle the stress that comes with the job. In the examinations, you'll be assessed for any possible reason why you might not be able to perform the job safely and properly.
What personality does a good cop have? ›
Understanding of the importance of consistency of action and principled behavior. Possessing high ethical expectation of self and others. Willingness to assert oneself in the face of peer pressure or potential ridicule to act with honor and truthfulness. Incorruptible.
How stressful is police work? ›
Police work is highly stressful, since it is one of the few occupations where employees are asked continually to face physical dangers and to put their lives on the line at any time.
Is being a cop a lonely job? ›
Long hours and irregular schedules lead to greater social isolation, since officers are most commonly around their own peers. Dealing with human misery on a regular basis also leads officers to shut down emotions, which negatively affects the public's view of them.
Is it worth being a police officer? ›
There is only one constant in being a cop – there's never a dull day. No only do police get paid well, save lifes and have a never ending variety of responsibilites, they're respected. You won't find a job that will make your family and friends more proud.
Is there such thing as good cop bad cop? ›
used to describe a situation in which two police officers or any two people try to achieve something together, by one of them being friendly and pleasant and the other using threats or force: The good cop - bad cop scenario is given a dizzying, dazzling twist in this movie.
What is the burnout rate for police officers? ›
One police academy director estimates that about 15 percent of any police department's officers are in a burnout phase at any one time and that 5 to 7 percent are 'crispy critters' who are totally burned out.
Working as a police officer isn't easy, especially in today's world, where law enforcement is under intense scrutiny. Numerous stressors come with this job, including danger, public scrutiny, shifts, and high-intensity situations. All these factors can take their toll on even the most resilient individual.
Is being a police officer mentally draining? ›
Law enforcement officers commonly work extended hours in ever-changing environments that can cause great mental and physical stress.
What age should you become a cop? ›
Statewide requirements for police officers in California
U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is eligible and has applied for citizenship (CHP officers must be U.S. citizens at time of appointment) 21+ years of age. Must be fingerprinted. Deemed as having good moral character through a background investigation.
What is the average career span of a cop? ›
The study focused on officers retired between 1957 and 1986. The age of the officers at retirement ranged from 45 to 73, with the average being 55 years old. They had served on the force for an average of 26.4 years. Findings indicate that more than 89 percent remain alive.
Why do people become cops? ›
References (0) ... 30,33 Early research evidence suggests people choose policing as a career because of a desire to enforce laws and, in so doing, help others. 31 Subsequent studies evidenced the primary reason for choosing a policing career appears to be helping others.
Why are police officers stressful? ›
Public Mistrust. Another stressor in policing is mistrust from the public. Law enforcement officers risk their lives on a daily basis for their community. When officers receive unjust public scrutiny and mistrust, it has a significant impact on officers' morale.
What is life like as a police officer? ›
Additionally, the demanding nature of the job can disrupt personal life, with erratic schedules and long hours impacting relationships with loved ones. Officers may also be exposed to hazards while performing their duties.
