Police officers are subject to a number of events which can be traumatizing for the average person. They run towards trouble when everybody is running away from it. Citizens see officers as being authority figures and should just “deal with it” when facing these events. However, behind the uniform, police officers are human too and deal with the same emotion that regular people face. Officers that have been involved in a traumatic experience, such as a police shooting, can and have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Fortunately, police services have recognized these issues and have established safeguards and programs to assist officers with PTSD. Anonymous help lines, as well as psychiatric assistance have helped officers deal with this condition. Managers are better trained and educated to recognize these symptoms and offer their employees the help that they require. It is good to know that when it comes to PTSD, police services continue to support and protect the people that protect the community.