Thread: Stress Levels of various agencies

Does anyone know of any studies which show the difference in stress levels, life expectancy and such for different levels of law enforcement, or different areas patrolled?

I would guess there is a large difference in stress levels from the Fed level to the county or city level. There is a huge difference between a city officer in Detroit compared to a city officer in Lincoln, Nebraska. It would be really interesting to see the difference in these things.

Law enforcement in general is a stressfull job, but I would think it varies from a lot to very minimal depending on the external stressors.

Not sure that there is a metric that would differentiate along the lines you suggest. Generally, we sort of exist proportional to the population so you get your own load regardless of whether it is the Big Apple or Mayberry. Folks don't differ much so they deliver their stuff into our inbox. Maybe there is a different scale wherein you are paid enough or not which adds stress to living while working or the department has seen the light or thinks all that needed to be known was known in 1930. Suspect those factors would really differentiate more than locale or type of agency. Job stress is somehow a matrix of external and internal factors, but I have never met a public safety officer who lived a stress free life.

Originally posted by ATF SAC
Not sure that there is a metric that would differentiate along the lines you suggest. Generally, we sort of exist proportional to the population so you get your own load regardless of whether it is the Big Apple or Mayberry. Folks don't differ much so they deliver their stuff into our inbox. Maybe there is a different scale wherein you are paid enough or not which adds stress to living while working or the department has seen the light or thinks all that needed to be known was known in 1930. Suspect those factors would really differentiate more than locale or type of agency. Job stress is somehow a matrix of external and internal factors, but I have never met a public safety officer who lived a stress free life.

I agree with this I think the stress is the same for the most part regardless of where you work. To me one of the biggest stressors in law enforcement is some of the other cops you work with and that is something we all deal with regardless of jurisdiction or type of agency.


Z

I would have to agree with the above. I've found that its not necessarily what city or small dept you work for that determines the stress factors. Having worked LE in a major city and also in a small Sheriff’s Dept, the major stress factors I found in common at both were; The boss or bosses and co-workers, (both were a biggie for me) the type of neighborhood you work in, (the rich section can carry more stress than working the ghetto) family life at home, financial status, (the more you make, the more you spend) your health, and that's just to name a few.