Understanding and Supporting Law Enforcement Families

An Applied Research Perspective

Understanding and Supporting Law Enforcement Families, through a synthesis of the research literature, presents and explores some of the challenges faced by police families as well as developments that have taken place to support them in balancing family and work life. There are demands and requirements from the job over which family members have little control. Shift work, negative public perceptions of law enforcement, changes in the officer’s personality as well as living with the potential that their loved one may be injured or killed are among the unique challenges law enforcement families face. These extraordinary life events are discussed as well as the potential physical and psychological reactions to these stressors. In addition to an overview of support programs and services, specific resources from national organizations are provided on support for family members of an officer killed in the line of duty, and organizational policies for the funeral of an officer who commits suicide, and officer domestic violence. This book examines the existing research as a means to clarify issues faced by law enforcement families and discusses the availability of resources to provide the support these families need and deserve. A great deal of realizing that potential will be dependent upon actively including the law enforcement family in all aspects of the support process. It is not a conventional self-help book but intended for researchers, practitioners, students, and others with interest in the study and support of law enforcement families.