Anxiety and my goal to become a police officer

[Vanessaknowles]

Hi all,

I’m a newbie at posting in forums so bare with me, my spelling and punctuation is also horrible so if I make a mistake just keep reading!

I was “diagnosed” with anxiety when I was 15 but I’ve had anxiety for as long as I can remember. Now that I am 22 I am trying to aim toward my goal of becoming a police officer with the WA Police Force. I have struggled with attending a handful of interviews for various positions over my employment history due to my anxiety. I know my goal to be a police officer will be difficult to acheive because of my anxiety..I guess my question is...

Can anyone offer any advice on being a police officer and dealing with anxiety?

Any advice will be appreciated

[white knight]

Hi can, welcome

Ive never been a police officer. However Ive been nearly everything but one. Such as- bylaws officer, dog ranger, security guard, crowd controller and private investigator.

If your applications keep getting rejected consider one of the above. It would be a mistake noit to have a back up plan. Being a police officer demands high levels in many fields like english, grammer, physical and mental fitness and stability, wothstanding shift work etc.

So try hard but be prepared for missing the mark.

Tony WK

[Croix]

Dear Vanessaknowles~

Short answer is I don't think you would enjoy the life, and I'd be surprised if you ended up making it a career. I'm sorry to be blunt.

I guess there are two things to think about.

The first is disclosure. In order to be accepted you will have to set out your medical history, which of course includes any mental health issues. This is not just your own account, but also involves psychological testing as part of your medical. Failure to set everything out will create problems, not least of which is future workers' comp claims. I would think failing to disclose anything significant at this stage would be taken quite seriously.

Now that just one hurdle. Normally if you can provide evidence you have been free from illness for a specific period (12 months with at least one force I know of) then there may be no problem.

The big thing is the nature of the work itself. I had a career in the police and ended up permanently invalided, out of the force due to PTSD, anxiety and depression. When I started out I was no more prone to these than anyone else. The nature of the duties, the pressure and overwork took their toll.

You mentioned struggling with employment interviews. To have similar or more intense interactions on a daily basis would be highly unpleasant for you, and sadly practice does not really lessen the pressure.

I'd imagine there are some areas within a force that have less stress than others, but even something like forensics normally results in court appearances - which can be highly stressful. I can't speak for other branches such as community relations or emergency services, though they may only be filled on rotation and not a career as such.

I would think for anyone that has an anxiety condition a career in a police force would be a problem, possibly exacerbating the condition and leaving one unable to either do one's duties or support fellow officers.

Again I apologize for being so direct, however I'd hate anyone else to end up in my situation

Croix

[Croix]

Dear Vanessaknowles~

On thinking about the matter I guess if it was me I'd go to the WA Police Recruitment Center and ask advice. That way you will know exactly where you stand.

Croix

[Vanessaknowles]

Dear Croix,

Thank you for being so brutally honest and real with me. I need to consider all aspects of continuing on this journey toward a police officer.

And yes I have battled anxiety and depression for a while but I feel as if police would be a really great path for me. If I work somewhere where my anxiety isn’t constantly tested I get too comfortable and never want to do anything that I know will make me anxious (hope that makes some sense) and I feel like having a confronting career that would test my anxiety daily would make me a stronger person in the long run. Because when I confront my anxiety and conquer things that test me I feel confident and really good about myself. I also want to do something that makes me proud of who I am (most of my depression is centred around being worthless and not having a future) so if I have a solid career path I will feel like I’m contributing to the world and I will be proud of what I’m doing.

I definitely know its not going to be easy but I have been finding it hard getting interested in any other carrer path. And it’s not just a random thought, it has been my dream job for years now and I’m always known for changing my mind but this is one thing I haven’t changed my mind on. I think at least having a go and failing would benefit me more than not even trying.

I definitely have taken ypur advise into consideration and I will be thinking a lot more into this 🙂

thank you you so much

[Vanessaknowles]

Hello and thank you for your reply!

I will I’ll have a look into these fields and research more into them!

a back up plan is definitely a good idea!

Thanks, Hayley

[Croix]

Dear Hayley~

I can understand how you feel, my ambition had always been to be a policeman, you are not alone in feeling it is a very worthwhile career. For a long time things went well. It was a combination of situations inherent in the job over a long time that caused my illness.

When one has a long-held goal it can sometimes be difficult to view it dispassionately. You acknowledge you are prone to anxiety and maybe taking your health into consideration at all times might be sufficient. Stretching yourself is something I do understand, and like most things it is a probably question of degree, slow and steady may well be good; anything more may have unfortunate results.

It is true times have changed since I was invalided out and there are more facilities in place in many forces to try to ensure the continuing mental and physical well-being of members. Advice from both your medical personnel and also the Recruiting Center will give you a clearer picture.

I'd also suggest if you can to talk frankly to past and present members about the more unpleasant aspects of the job, to try to get an idea of the long-term strains both on the person and on their family. I'll not try to enumerate them here. Although one can try to specialize often a member may be asked to serve in any area and it is not really possible to either predict or avoid higher levels of stress.

As Tony says having a second option would be a very good thing. I found a subsequent career as an educator.

So all I can do is wish you the best.

Croix

[geoff]

Hello Vanessaknowles, I'm so sorry but I do worry that your anxiety maybe tested by being in the police force, and when applying to be in the force there will be tests to see how you can cope in difficult situations. Geoff.

[Talon]

Hi Vanessa,

I personally know first hand about being a police officer and having a degree of anxiety ever present.

I have very recently been discharged medically from the police service after almost 28 years. The vast majority of that time was spent in general duties (driving around and responding to whatever jobs come your way).

I was never diagnosed with anxiety as such, but believe deep down that I had, and still have, a degree of anxiety, which is ever present. This, like many anxiety sufferers, is accompanied by depression. I have also battled with depression for many years.

Being a police officer can be a very rewarding career, no doubt. But, the variety of jobs you attend as a first responder, can at times be challenging. From domestic violence to deaths, and everything in between, suffering anxiety can exacerbate your bodies responses. This can be beneficial in some circumstances, but soul destroying in others. Attending the death of a baby for instance is absolutely terrible and for me evoked many emotions. On the surface this is normal and healthy, but repeated exposure to such morbid incidents can take it’s toll.

As a cop we put on the tough exterior, impenetrable to any emotions. But, suffering anxiety prior to taking on the job, in my opinion, would possibly amplify your symptoms.

I think your dream of becoming a police officer is brilliant. Like is said, a bit of anxiety, or heightened awareness can actually assist when doing the job.

Are you taking medication for your anxiety? If this is enabling you to cope and live a relatively balanced life, I couldn’t see how this would affect the likelihood of being accepted in the WA police. Each state may be different?

I’d suggest being open about it and making some enquiries with recruitment. Let them know about your anxiety and go from there?

Good luck and I wish you all the best in attaining your dream!!