Police officers' reactions to a traumatic event

This study examined police officers' reactions after a traumatic event. The study compared officers' reactions based on 11 factors and nine demographic characteristics. This was an exploratory research using quantitative methodology to explore stress symptoms perceived by officers. The researcher found five areas of differences based on factors and demographic characteristics. First, male participants experienced a significantly higher tendency to avoid activities that made them remember the traumatic experience as compared to female participants. Also male participants were significantly more inclined to be detached and less involved with other people after the traumatic event. Male participants experienced significantly greater feelings of anger and guilt in contrast to female participants. Second, African American participants experienced a significantly higher tendency to feel greater sorrow for the other people involved in the traumatic event compared to Caucasian participants. African American participants experienced a significantly higher tendency to cry when they thought about the traumatic incident in comparison to Caucasian participants. African American participants experienced a significantly higher tendency to being able to express emotions as freely as they did before the traumatic incident in contrast to Caucasian participants. African American participants experienced a significantly greater difficulty with decision making since the traumatic event compared to Caucasian participants. Third, participants in Unit 1 experienced a significantly greater tendency to become depressed when they thought about the event compared to participants in Unit 3. Fourth, participants with 0 to 5 years seniority were less easily distracted compared to participants with 6 to 13 years or 14 years or more seniority. Finally, single participants experienced a significantly greater perception of not receiving support from either family or friends.