Mindfulness in Policing

Cayla Turko

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Liberal Arts

Major: MA.FORENSIC-PSY

Faculty Research Mentor: Baer, Erica  

Abstract:

Police officers face a very taxing occupation, constantly exposed to high-stress situations, trauma scenarios, and intense pressure. As a result, they are at an increased risk for mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and burnout. Within the first year of the job of urban officers, 90% experience an acute traumatic event (Grupe et al., 2021). Mindfulness-based training, which focuses on the body and mind with full awareness and zero judgment, has increased demand to reduce negative symptoms and promote positivity. Mindfulness-based training can reduce PTSD symptoms among the police population (Grupe et al., 2021). It is further hypothesized that mindfulness training may “cure” emotional avoidance and defense mechanisms such as suppression (Grupe et al., 2021). However, such training is not implemented in every police department. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness and availability of mindfulness training for police officers. The goal is to offer them a way to decompress, offering a way for them to become more focused, resilient, and emotionally balanced both on and off the job. 32 current and former law enforcement officers completed a brief, seven-minute survey assessing the training's impact in reducing stress and negative symptoms in officers. Although the results were not significant and did not support the hypothesis in this setting, participants expressed high hopes regarding mindfulness practice as a healthy coping strategy. Future research should include expanding the participant pools and discovering when mindfulness training is the best recommendation for police officers.