Why Emotional Intelligence Is Necessary for a Law Enforcement Officer

Law enforcement officers carry out various essential functions that help ensure the community’s safety. Life as a law enforcement officer can be challenging, and at times, nerve-wracking. Officers come across all kinds of situations in their daily work. Some of these situations can be occupational hazards, such as dealing with criminals or stopping criminal activities. 

A police officer equipped with a body camera


The job requires that officers have proficiency in defending themselves and their community, and possess a high level of emotional intelligence.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence, also known as Emotional Quotient (EQ), refers to the ability to understand, manage, and use your emotions positively to reduce stress, talk to others, and interact and empathize with others.

Why is Emotional Intelligence Necessary for Law Enforcement Officers?

Emotional intelligence is a necessary attribute for law enforcement officers to possess. Emotional intelligence is pertinent to most police matters.

Decision-making and Communication

A high degree of emotional intelligence allows officers to make better decisions. Officers being able to control their emotions and express them effectively is paramount. More importantly, law enforcement officers also need the ability to comprehend the sentiments of others and communicate to them effectively, especially in high-stake situations.

Stress

Police officers often work in high-stake situations, and stress is prevalent in most law enforcement officer’s work. Officer’s stress can be understood better by breaking them down into two separate categories: operational stress and organizational stress.

Operational stress refers to the stress officers experience in their daily activities. Police work is often hectic, and most officers work on soul-crushing matters such as rape investigations, murders, and other criminal actions. Operational stress can negatively impact the psychological well-being of police officers. However, in most instances, stress is induced because of exposure to traumatic and critical incidents.

A police officer patrolling the streets




On the other hand, organizational stress is ongoing stress that affects law enforcement officers long-term. Studies show that organizational stress can severely impact officers’ decision-making. Moreover, research highlights that when an officer is involved in a use-of-force incident, the officer is likely suffering from organizational stress.

Studies show that a higher emotional intelligence can prevent officers from suffering from organizational stress.

Officer Training and Well-being

Emotional intelligence is also essential for training officers. Law enforcement agencies can administer EQ tests and assess their officers’ scores. The agencies can accordingly prepare training programs to help the officers improve their emotional intelligence, which can help them perform better in their roles. Law enforcement officers also have high rates of suicide. Identifying emotional intelligence and providing the appropriate training can help pre-empt some suicide cases. Equipping officers with the necessary training can also improve psychological well-being, lowering instances of use-of-force incidents and police brutality.

Law Enforcement Officer Preparation in Suffolk

If you’re looking to join the Suffolk County Police, you’ll need to pass the Suffolk Police Exam. Civil Service Success can assist you by helping you pass an exam for the Suffolk County Police with its police test classes.

Contact them today to learn more about how they can help you ace your exams.


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