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Rylee
Student
Lewes, Delaware
1
Question
Asked
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What’s the best way to deal with burnout or stress in high-pressure fields like law enforcement?
I will be a freshman in college this fall, and while graduation is far away, I want to have a general idea of what I want to do so that my degree will be helpful in my career. I would like to become an FBI agent after graduating from college, and I know that the job, like many others, can take a strong emotional toll, and I want to be prepared.
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1 answer
Kevin Czora
Law enforcement
35
Answers
Amherst, New York
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Rylee,
Your question is one that I wish I had asked myself before starting my career. The toll that stress can take on a person in this field can be overwhelming. Mitigating and managing it is critical.
First, you need to identify the various causes of stress. The obvious one is from witnessng the brutal acts a person can do to another. Tied into that, the pressures of being the person who must find a way to bring justice to those victims, and to keep our communities safe. Case follow-up and completion has its own stress. Bringing a caae to court, having it approved by the DA, and then going to trial successfully brings enormous stress. There is also the stress that may be caused within the agency. Personality conflicts with peers, supervisors, and administration is real. Of course, you have the stresses of your and other peoples safety. Trying to protect yourself, your partners, the innocent people around you, and even suspects is an extreme challange. At the end of the day you have your homelife stress. Missing holidays, birthdays, special events, etc, can cause anguish with you, your spouse, and your kids.
Now, what to do about it. This is different for each person, but I'll touch on what works in general. First, making a balance between home and work as best you can. Go on vacations when possible, make special time with family and friends. Try to make friends that are NOT in law enforcement. Next... excercise, excercise, excercise. Play sports, go to a gym, do yoga, anything. Find a way to release that pent-up energy and physical stress. Dont forget about your brain. I mandated that every one of my detectives see a psychiatrist once a year. They didnt have to talk, but they had to sit in front of her. Having that option is important. Listen to people if they say they see changes in you. Moderate alcohol use. Dont use it to mask lingering stress.
I hope this helps guide you, and keeps you safe. I loved my job and take great pride in what I did. My passion didnt keep me from having stress, but it did help accept and be able to manage it. Good luck, and love what you do.
Kevin Czora
Your question is one that I wish I had asked myself before starting my career. The toll that stress can take on a person in this field can be overwhelming. Mitigating and managing it is critical.
First, you need to identify the various causes of stress. The obvious one is from witnessng the brutal acts a person can do to another. Tied into that, the pressures of being the person who must find a way to bring justice to those victims, and to keep our communities safe. Case follow-up and completion has its own stress. Bringing a caae to court, having it approved by the DA, and then going to trial successfully brings enormous stress. There is also the stress that may be caused within the agency. Personality conflicts with peers, supervisors, and administration is real. Of course, you have the stresses of your and other peoples safety. Trying to protect yourself, your partners, the innocent people around you, and even suspects is an extreme challange. At the end of the day you have your homelife stress. Missing holidays, birthdays, special events, etc, can cause anguish with you, your spouse, and your kids.
Now, what to do about it. This is different for each person, but I'll touch on what works in general. First, making a balance between home and work as best you can. Go on vacations when possible, make special time with family and friends. Try to make friends that are NOT in law enforcement. Next... excercise, excercise, excercise. Play sports, go to a gym, do yoga, anything. Find a way to release that pent-up energy and physical stress. Dont forget about your brain. I mandated that every one of my detectives see a psychiatrist once a year. They didnt have to talk, but they had to sit in front of her. Having that option is important. Listen to people if they say they see changes in you. Moderate alcohol use. Dont use it to mask lingering stress.
I hope this helps guide you, and keeps you safe. I loved my job and take great pride in what I did. My passion didnt keep me from having stress, but it did help accept and be able to manage it. Good luck, and love what you do.
Kevin Czora