Stress & Trauma within the Criminal Investigation Department: the particular case of the vice squad inspectors

Police inspectors, by the nature of their work, constitute a population at high risk of exposure to potentially traumatic events. Whether they are organizational (working conditions, lack of manpower, etc.) or operational (elements specific to interventions), the risk factors are numerous and require police officers to implement coping strategies to deal with these daily demands. However, these strategies are not always adapted and may therefore lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Methodology: Twenty-six police inspectors from the vice squad were surveyed using questionnaires and structured clinical interview to assess compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress and coping strategies.

Results: The majority of police inspectors generally engage in appropriate coping strategies in the course of their work. However, despite this adequate personal functioning when faced with these potentially traumatic work situations, 65% of the participants experienced secondary traumatic stress. This is manifested by the presence of burnout, which is more intensely felt in contact with citizens, victims or perpetrators.

Conclusion: It is essential to implement preventive interventions with this at-risk population. Indeed, the results show suffering and fatigue related to the working conditions of these vice squad inspectors. Future programmes should promote the establishment of a favourable environment and help reduce the occurrence of stress reactions in order to better prevent the development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder in police officers.