Essay Example on Police Officers' Health: Disclosure Takes a Different Twist

Introduction

Stigmatization of police officers and strict entry requirements are among the most demanding requirements that deter most of the police officers to disclose their health conditions. While this may be deemed dangerous not only to themselves but also to their peers and the citizens they serve, most of them have been forced to sweep this matter under the carpet. Disclosure of health conditions in the police department has taken a different twist, making the police officers shy away from disclosing their health status. Even though the disclosure might seem important to help understand the different changes in the police officer’s behaviors and character, most of them fear the revoking of their license in carrying a firearm, reassigning of department, ridicule, and worst losing their jobs. Therefore, the essay will elucidate on the obstacles that prevent police officers from seeking help, especially while experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

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Job Loses

According to Stuart, (2017), new police recruits on anti-depressants cannot join the force, a term that has been depicted as a discriminatory step towards the fight in strengthening the grip on availing the best force. The Mental Health Foundation terms the harsh recruitment requirements, as one of the leading factors that have increased the possibilities of sweeping the truth about the officer’s condition under the carpet. Police officers are required to be medical and symptom-free of any anti-depressants. Therefore, those still struggling in a cocktail of anti-depressants, are deemed to be unsuitable for the office, and hence they may have to lose their job. Through this, most of the officers fail to open about their condition, in fear of losing their job. Never the less for those who are lucky enough to maintain their job, leave in constant fear of their firearm being revoked as well.

Firearm license being revoked

As a means of curbing any potential means of crime, police officers diagnosed with any emotional or psychiatric conditions, are revoked their license of carrying their firearm due to safety issues. According to Stuart, (2017), the need avoids any blame from the public on police officers using their firearms beyond the law limits, which might spark conflict between the public and the authorities. Therefore, the responsible agents deem it essential to revoke their license for safety issues. However, while the revoking of a firearm might seem necessary, is sparks a belief of discrimination and increased tension between the two sides. Police offices experiencing psychiatric conditions, feel neglected once they come out clean. Therefore, they opt to be silent on their condition, despite the severity of their situation.

Reassignment

Stress is a constant element that all officers encounter in their routine operations. However, the degree of stress is higher, especially to those officers with emotional or psychiatric conditions. Therefore, police departments with less stress might be a suitable option for them. However, this does not entirely suit them, since they might be reduced to junior levels, with limited responsibilities. Consequently, most of the officers undergoing any anti-depressants might deem this as a suitable option in keeping silent to save their current job position.

Ridicule

Ridicule and humiliation in police departments is a common practice, yet conducted indirectly due to ethical consideration (Wheeler, et al., 2018). Weakness and inferiority is a typical depiction of humiliation that police officers undergoing psychiatric conditions may encounter from their peers, or even from their seniors, during the duty assignments. Police officers with this condition might seek to keep their condition secret to help get a better ranking assignment, to help build their promotions.

Proposed Solutions

The incensement of police officers hiding their conditions indicates that the police department in the nation has not fully adjusted to the modern trends, where police officers of all natures are considered. Therefore, it is essential for the police department and the general body governing the police force to factor in the changes.

First and foremost, one of the proposed changes is that the police force should not only factor in the concept of the best-fit but rather consider treating and offering equal job opportunities to all officers. Therefore, their employment status should not be based on their health conditions, but rather help factor in all officers.

Secondly, the police force department should conduct an assessment on the police officers, and keep track of their medical behavior, and implement programs to help those with medical issues. Through this, the police force will play the role of consideration, rather than rebuking and frustrating them. Diagnosed police officers should be allowed to hold their positions while undergoing medical treatment to help strengthen the unity in the force.

Conclusion

Lastly, humiliation and ridicule should be discouraged in the force. Officers who receive discrimination experience should report the act to help punish the offenders. Therefore, the officers should not receive the lower ranking assignment due to their condition, but rather encouraged and counseled on the need to accept the roles that suit them based on their health condition.

References

Stuart, H. (2017). Mental illness stigma expressed by police to police. Isr Journal Psychiatry Related Science, 54(1), 18-23.

Wheeler, C., Fisher, A., Jamiel, A., Lynn, T. J., & Hill, W. T. (2018). Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Police Officers Seeking Psychological Services. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 1-7.