Police Psychology | Anger!

Nancy K Bohl-Penrod PhD, Director of the Counseling Team International

and The Southern California Critical Incident Stress Management Team

I am angry right now.  I am seething and boiling.  I am sure many of you feel the same way.  First there is Dallas and now Louisiana.  Cops getting killed.  I am on fire.  This has got to stop.  I know what the research tells us about anger, “Ninety percent of anger is unjustified”. Well, guess what?  Not today.  These feelings are justified. You do not have to live in Dallas, or Baton Rough to be livid.  What worries me, is the negative impact this intense feeling of rage we may be experiencing can have on all of us.

To all officers, please understand anger is a normal emotion caused by grief, frustration or tragic situations where you feel you, your department or profession has been wronged.  Of course, in both of these horrific situations, we have all been wronged and our family members. There are times that anger and frustration can be useful, as long as it is expressed effectively.  This is going to be difficult, but you have to control your rage, and remain professional.  When anger is expressed correctly, it can protect you from threats to your safety, well-being, happiness, self-esteem and from losing your career. (more…)