Critically evaluate the extent to which firearms officers attending major and critical incidents are more likely to experience PTSD than other police officers.

DISCUSSION ESSAY

There is some, limited evidence to suggest that working as a firearms officer (where decisions made as part of a working day can mean life of death) is strongly linked to PTSD (Bär et al., 2004; Carlier et al., 1997) … There is some contradictory evidence that suggests that the initial psychological screening of firearms officers and ongoing support results in them reporting lower levels of stress than other officers (Sheard et al., 2019).

Jim Foley and Kristina Louise Dawn Massey (2021) ‘The ‘cost’ of caring in policing: from burnout to PTSD in police officers in England and Wales’ Police Journal, 94(3), 298-315.

Critically evaluate the extent to which firearms officers attending major and critical incidents are more likely to experience PTSD than other police officers.

Your answer should not exceed 1,500 words.

Essay criteria):

• Research, analyse and critically evaluate relevant evidence, research, processes and their practical application

• Produce a synthesis of relevant academic and operational issues

• Evaluate and compare relevant academic and/or operational arguments and express sustainable views and judgements

• Present a reasoned choice between alternative solutions and demonstrate appropriate critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments

• Evaluate and articulate opinions based on academic and operational arguments.

• Good analytical ability and critical evaluation as appropriate