Introduction
Police officers are trained to handle stressful situations in different ways, and the approach used in their training has been a topic of debate in the recent past. On the one hand, some people advocate for a supportive and collegiate-type police training academy that develops skills without creating artificial stress. On the other hand, some believe that creating physical and mental stress is a necessary element of practice that helps trainees prepare when stressful situations threaten to overwhelm them in an uncontrolled environment (Shults, 2022). Recently, researchers have created a mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) to monitor the brain activity of officers when put into stressful situations (Enoch, 2017). In this essay, I will interpret the research study and discuss how the findings contribute to the ongoing debate on how police officers are trained to handle stressful situations.
Police Training & Brain Activity Study
Despite the significant advancements in technology, the role of human emotions and decision-making in high-stress situations remains a complex and challenging area of study. The study by Enoch (2017) was conducted at the University of Alabama and aimed to monitor the brain activity of police officers in simulated stress “shoot or don’t shoot” scenarios. The researchers used a mobile EEG to watch the brain waves of officers participating in virtual simulations. The EEG was connected to a small tablet computer, and the data collected were analyzed using specialized software. The researchers followed each officer through three sessions and varied the officers’ levels of experience on the job. The study aimed to understand what the brain is doing in real-time during a scenario when deadly force might be used and to study the differences in the brain between a shoot or no-shoot situation (Enoch, 2017). Thus, the findings from this study contribute to the broader conversation about the importance of training and support for law enforcement officers and the complex interplay between emotions, decision-making, and high-stress situations.
The research findings have implications for the ongoing debate on how police officers are trained to handle stressful situations. The study proves that creating physical and mental stress during police training can help officers learn how to control their reactions to stressful circumstances and reduce frustration and aggression. This aligns with Shults’ (2022) theory that building character and resilience requires confronting one’s potential weaknesses and supporting and enhancing the strengths that training develops. The study provides evidence that creating physical and mental stress during exercise can help officers develop the confidence to overcome whatever is thrown at them.
Given the increasing scrutiny of police behavior and the need for better training practices, it’s crucial to understand the role of stress in policing. The study by Li et al. (2021) sheds light on the importance of police training that prioritizes empathy and self-awareness in reducing stress and preventing aggression in law enforcement officers. The study found that police aggression and misconduct are believed to be related to the pressures of the job and that suppressing emotions as their culture and training demands can cause police officers to become less sensitive to the feelings of others and more aggressive in dealing with suspects. The study found that increased sensitivity to the feelings of police officers can reduce their stress levels and improve their ability to handle others in crisis.
Conclusion
The study using a portable EEG device on police officers in stressful situations supports incorporating stress training to improve response and reduce frustration and hostility. However, the study’s findings suggest a need for supportive and collegiate-type police training emphasizing empathy over attack and self-awareness over tactical skills. The debate on how police officers are trained to handle stressful situations is ongoing. The research findings contribute to the continuing discussion on the most effective training methods for police officers.
References
Ed Enoch Staff Writer, The Tuscaloosa News. (2017). Researchers study stress on police officers. The Tuscaloosa News. Web.
Li, D., Nicholson-Crotty, S., & Nicholson-Crotty, J. (2021). Creating guardians or warriors? Examining the effects of Non-Stress training on policing outcomes. The American Review of Public Administration, 51(1), 3–16. Web.
Shults, J. (2022). Are we trying to eliminate stress in police training? National Police Association. Web.