The persistent stress and demands associated with policing have been linked to burnout, reduced job satisfaction and worsening mental health issues, as highlighted in the “What Cops Want in 2024” survey results.
This high-stress environment poses significant risks to officers’ physical health, leading to chronic fatigue and stress-related illnesses. The survey also shows that public scrutiny and political pressures further contribute to feelings of disillusionment and frustration among law enforcement personnel.
Over 2,800 officers took part in the survey, underscoring an urgent need for enhanced support systems specifically designed to address officers’ mental wellbeing. Tim Dees contributed to the analysis of the survey results, identifying a recurring theme: fatigue.
American law enforcement officers are tired, working too many hours, and lacking time for proper nutrition and exercise. Equally concerning, officers are left emotionally raw by cumulative trauma and lack of rest after critical incidents.
What officers are saying
The findings of the survey underscore several critical areas that need immediate attention and proactive measures from law enforcement agencies and leadership. Below are key statistics that illustrate the severity of these challenges.
Mental health:
- Over 50% reported a stigma still exists around seeking mental health services
- 55% expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of mental health resources in their departments
- 12% reported having no access to mental health resources
An officer wrote, “If the community knew how deplorable we treat our officers while experiencing mental health issues, it would honestly be a congressional hearing. We need to do better with listening to our officers especially if they learned tools that can help.”
Sleep and recovery:
- Over 70% reported they had difficulty sleeping
- 73% are experiencing inadequate sleep
- 50% experience increased anger because of lack of sleep
- 50% experience family issues
- 39% lose sleep because of work-related stresses
Mental health and sleep are interconnected. Poor sleep quality leads to impaired cognitive decision-making and increased mental stress, which can exacerbate sleep problems, which then leads to more mental stress.
Many officers are finding themselves in a gradual downward spiral, facing significant mental health and sleep challenges.
The mental health and wellness challenges faced by our officers are not just individual struggles, but systemic issues that demand immediate and comprehensive attention.
Zoom in
It’s clear that police leaders need to take proactive steps to address these issues. Here are five immediate action items for police leaders:
- Enhance leadership approaches: Leaders should transition from an autocratic style of leadership to transformational, servant and situational leadership. As individuals ascend the ranks, they become more disconnected from front-line supervisory roles and street-level realities. The survey revealed significant insights into how poor leadership can heighten mental stress and contribute to poor sleep habits.
- Identify internal talent: Police leaders possess a wealth of knowledge within their organizations. It is essential to identify individuals who have developed tools that can benefit others. Consider conducting internal surveys, using interest cards or simply asking for input on specific problems. Current officers and supervisors are invaluable resources for information and every agency has these “diamonds in the rough” personnel who can provide solutions to leadership challenges. Use your current employees first before seeking outside help from consulting or academic services.
- Recognize those in need: Identifying individuals who need help but do not actively seek it can be challenging. Supervisors and peers should pay close attention to each team member. Police leaders should aim to reduce or streamline administrative tasks to allow first-line supervisors more time to engage with their teams rather than being confined to the office. Spending time with team members is the most effective way to identify those who are struggling.
- Provide training on mental health and sleep: Like firearms, defensive tactics and report writing, officers need training in mental health, mindfulness and sleep. These topics can often be covered in briefings without requiring extensive time.
- Explore opportunities for improvement: Many of our officers struggle with their physical and mental health. This should never happen. With technology, including advanced health accessories, officers should be among the strongest and most mentally prepared of any generation. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Seek opportunities to integrate technology and advanced tools into the department to enhance officer wellbeing.
Zoom out
Implementing the five action items can significantly impact both individual police officers and the law enforcement profession. Most of the action items take very little time and very little money.
Here are three key takeaways that can make a difference:
- Focus on the body first: Encourage officers to move by allowing them to exercise on duty. Many agencies now have a specific hour designated for exercise. Exercise not only helps the body, but it is also the most effective way to enhance mental wellbeing, improve sleep, improve productivity, improve resiliency and improve decision-making.
- Emphasize sleep: Many agencies conduct wellness competitions throughout the year, tracking metrics such as steps, physical exercises and reading hours. While these are valuable, consider incorporating sleep tracking into these competitions. With the availability of various sleep trackers on the market, organizing a sleep competition is both feasible and beneficial.
- Invest in wellness equipment: Equip your agency with tools that support officers’ mental, physical and recovery needs. This could include meditation apps, massage chairs, sleep pods, saunas or even an ice bath. For those who don’t have the space in their home for a full ice bath, Zeropod makes a specific chiller for your bath. Use code: police1 for $100 off.
The bottom line
The “What Cops Want in 2024” survey serves as a stark wake-up call for law enforcement agencies nationwide. The mental health and wellness challenges faced by our officers are not just individual struggles, but systemic issues that demand immediate and comprehensive attention.
By implementing the suggested action items — from leadership development to identifying at-risk officers and providing targeted training — agencies can begin to address these critical concerns.
The focus on physical health, sleep quality and recovery is not just about individual officer wellness; it’s about enhancing the overall effectiveness and resilience of our law enforcement organizations. By investing in our officers’ wellbeing, we’re investing in safer communities and more effective policing.
As we move forward, let’s listen to our officers, adopt new strategies, and remain committed to creating a culture that prioritizes mental health and wellness. The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities for positive change. By acting now, we can build a stronger, healthier and more resilient law enforcement community.
