Anger Management Coaching for Law Enforcement Officers Gains Acceptance in California

Law enforcement like medicine is one of those professions, which is by its nature, stressful. Little, if anything can be done to reduce job stress among law enforcement professionals. Therefore, the focus of any intervention must be narrowly structured on teaching officers how best to recognize and manage anger and stress, enhance assertive communication skills as well as increase emotional intelligence.

Unfortunately, the current distressed economy is beginning to exacerbate the strains that are already evident for those in stressful jobs like law enforcement. Like other middle class workers, law enforcement officers are equally as vulnerable to the downswings in the economy as are other salaried employees.

Traditional anger management classes for court ordered defendants are inappropriate and disrespectful to Uniformed Law Enforcement Staff. It is never acceptable to demean law enforcement staff by placing them in groups with criminal defendants. Such practices can only lead to bitterness and a sense of betrayal on the part of professional criminal justice personnel.

Law enforcement staff must be treated with extreme respect and confidentiality. Any anger management intervention to be successful must be non-psychiatric. The stigma associated with mental illness is incompatible with law enforcement officer’s self esteem. Such a model must include an assessment component that is designed to determine the officers’ current ability to recognize and manage stress, anger, anxiety and disappointment. In addition, preferred styles of communication as well as the degree of emotional intelligence must be determined prior to any intervention.

Individual coaching off-site with client workbook, DVDs, exercises and discussion work best to enhance performance in managing anger, stress, improving communication and emotional intelligence. Post-tests should be used to determine the success of the coaching intervention. Follow-up assessments at three and six months are useful.

Anderson & Anderson has been selected as a Vender to provide Anger Management Coaching for the California State Highway Patrol in California.

George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF, CEAP
Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management Providers
Anderson & Anderson®, The Trusted Name in Anger Management
http://www.andersonservices.com/
http://www.aaamp.org
http://www.linkedin.com/in/geoanderson
www.anger-management-resources.org