Critical Incidents in Police Work: What Incidents Stay with Danish Police Officers?

Abstract Police officers are frequently exposed to critical and potentially traumatic incidents in their work. Exposure (CI) policing is associated with an increased risk of developing mental health problems, particular post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the definitions understandings police-specific CI vary extensively. The present qualitative study aimed enhance our understanding core characteristics work-related that perceived as most burdensome among Danish police officers. Using content analysis, this coded 2960 descriptions still cause emotional reactions 1659 analysis resulted development three main categories (danger or threat, accidents, deaths distressing crimes) which could be conceptualized a diversity 28 categories. Hereof, part consisted common more routine tasks tragic nature, e.g., traffic handling cases severe violence, suicide, homicide, child neglect abuse, making death notifications. Compared similar conducted decades ago, experiences appear have continuing general quality over time. further comparable trauma event identified other countries. findings highlight importance recognizing assignments emotionally burdensome, they underline focusing prevention initiatives on accumulation psychological strain work due various experienced