Addressing Burnout in Law Enforcement: A Community Call to Action

October 24, 2024

Burnout is a pervasive issue affecting many professionals today, but few occupations face the unique pressures and challenges that law enforcement officers do. According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS), over 45% of police officers report experiencing burnout, and at any given time, 15% within an agency are grappling with this debilitating condition. These figures are alarming and highlight an urgent need for comprehensive mental health support within our law enforcement communities.

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Understanding the Impact of Burnout 

Burnout is more than just feeling stressed or tired. This naturally occurring state can affect anyone in any industry at any time; everyone has their own personal threshold. It’s a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion that can lead to:

- Decreased Job Performance: Officers dealing with burnout may find it challenging to perform their duties effectively, which can compromise their professionalism and public safety.

- Increased Absenteeism: Frequent absences can strain already overburdened departments, leading to a vicious cycle of stress and burnout among remaining staff. The vast majority of departments today are currently facing significant staffing challenges.

- Severe Mental Health Issues: Prolonged burnout can escalate into more severe conditions like depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress (PTS).

As my organization’s primary internal affairs investigator, I saw several cases where burnout was a symptom that led to unprofessional or inappropriate behaviors that not only compromised the officers’ career but sometimes endangered the public.

To address this issue, we must advocate for robust mental wellness programs tailored specifically to the needs of law enforcement professionals. Here are some critical steps organizations can take:

1. Comprehensive Mental Wellness Resources: Agencies should provide access to mental wellness professionals who understand the unique challenges of policing. This includes psychologists, counselors, coaches, and therapists trained in trauma and crisis management.

2. Regular Wellness Education: Routine mental wellness tune-ups in the form of training should be as standard as physical fitness. These routine trainings can help identify early signs of burnout and prevent burnout and other mental health issues.

3. Peer Support Programs: Peer support can be incredibly effective, as officers often feel more comfortable discussing their struggles with colleagues who understand their experiences. Establishing peer support networks with effective and trusted confidentiality protocols can foster a culture of mutual support and resilience.

4. Open Conversations About Mental Wellness: Stigma around mental wellness issues remains a significant barrier to officers being willing to reach out for assistance. Encouraging open dialogue about mental wellness can help normalize these discussions and make it easier for officers to seek help without fear of judgment or ridicule.

A Shared Responsibility 

Addressing burnout in law enforcement is not just the responsibility of the agencies but of the entire community. Officers need to know their leadership and the community trust them to do their jobs while receiving appropriate assistance to address mental wellness challenges. While there are times it is best for an officer to take time away from the job or be temporarily reassigned, the vast majority of officers are fully capable of addressing their mental wellness challenges while continuing to serve in their regularly assigned capacity.

After several years of being in internal affairs and handling some extremely troubling cases, I noticed burnout impacting me, my family, and my work. I had done my best to manage it on my own but realized my stoicism was compromising me. In my weekly one-on-one with my Undersheriff, I advised him I was reaching my maximum capacity and in need of reassignment. I had to tap out.

As law enforcement professionals we are trained and tempered to compartmentalize our feelings so we can remain focused and work through some of the most horrific and emotionally troubling events in society. But most are not well trained in how to deal with those emotions once they have done their job.

In the past, I have written about the proverbial emotional backpack issued to each officer when they graduate from the police academy. The challenge is that they are only taught how to collect but not process and release those gathered emotions and traumatic memories. That backpack gets heavier over time and before they know it they are being crippled by the overwhelming weight of their experiences.

Citizens need to realize this reality and welcome and support programs to help our veteran, active and newly recruited public servants.

Here are ways citizens can contribute: 

- Advocacy: Advocate for policies and funding that support mental wellness initiatives for law enforcement. Speak with your local police chief or sheriff and inquire about their efforts to improve the mental wellness of their personnel.

- Community Support: Show appreciation and support for officers, recognizing the emotional and psychological toll their job can take. Take a few seconds to say thank you and acknowledge them when you see them in public.

- Education: Educate ourselves and others about the signs of burnout and the importance of mental wellness in policing. The more we know the more we can help and support our local heroes.

Our law enforcement officers are on the front lines, often facing situations that most of us can only imagine. They deserve the same level of care and attention that they provide to us and our communities. By prioritizing their mental well-being, we can ensure that they remain resilient and effective in their roles, ultimately leading to safer and healthier communities.

Research published by the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology in 2019 indicated that law enforcement organizations that invested in emotional intelligence training for their members saw a decrease in incidents of use of force by officers by as much as 22%.

Separately, the International Association of Chief's of Police (IACP) reported in 2021 that EQ training for officers resulted in a 30% increase in positive community feedback and 20% reduction in citizen complaints against officers.

Law enforcement officers with higher intelligence are more capable of managing their emotions, understanding and appreciating the emotional status of those they engage with, and make better decisions.

It's time to make mental wellness a priority in law enforcement. Together, we can create an environment where officers feel supported, valued, and equipped to handle the demands of their crucial work without judgment or fear of losing their career.

As we continue to support those who protect and serve us, let's advocate for comprehensive mental wellness resources, regular wellness training, peer support programs, and open conversations about mental wellness.