High Stress Of Law Enforcement Jobs Strains Relationships

On Behalf of | Nov 9, 2017 | domestic violence |

Being a police officer can be a rewarding career, but it can also bring with it a tremendous amount of stress. This stress can take a serious toll in an officer’s marriage or relationship, and without awareness or help, can contribute to domestic violence incidents. At least forty percent of families of police officers struggle with domestic violence. This is in contrast to ten percent of the general population, according to the National Center for Women & Policing.

Unpredictability

It’s no surprise that being a police officer is a stressful job. Police officers are trained to go into volatile situations and deal with potentially unpredictable or dangerous people, putting themselves at risk in the process. Police officers can sometimes face unpredictable and long schedules that prevent them from maintaining a normal social or family life to help keep them in balance. The schedules of police officers can also cause tension within a family, if children or a spouse perceives that they are never around at important times.

Public opinion

Societal factors can also add to the stress of being a police officer, with some people assuming that police officers are the “bad guy” out to get private citizens. While police violence has been increasingly in the news, this doesn’t mean that every police officer behaves inappropriately or has bad intent, and the assumption that they do can compound stress for those who work in law enforcement.

Protect your reputation and career

If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, you may feel like your whole world is crashing down around you. In addition to all the normal stress you face on the job, now you’re facing a serious charge, too, and that can feel overwhelming. If you’re in this situation, it’s important to contact a knowledgeable defense attorney who can protect your rights and provide you with helpful guidance during this challenging time.