Police work is highly demanding. There is a need for contact with a very diverse range of people. Conflicts arise and citizens can become difficult. The merit of such experiences is that, with time, officers may gradually acquire interpersonal skills. These not only make them better communicators in terms of clarity, authority, conveyance and persuasion power, but also helps them detect fraud, lies and deception.

However, there are also several resultant problems affecting the inter-personal effectiveness of the officer. The first is a sense of aloofness, alienation and distance often experienced by their significant others. It is not unusual because with their exposure to the darker side of society, some officers may find there is decreased level of interpersonal trust towards even their family or acquaintances. As officers try to protect themselves, communication is often barricaded by an apathetic attitude or suspicious stance, which is not easily understood or tolerated by these significant others. Such distance and alienation often hinders the level of inter-personal satisfaction.

Another common setback is a general neglect of family life. Part of it is caused by heavy workloads, working hours or over-emphasis of their social lives with colleagues. Spouses only see a washed-out entity too tired to say anything at home. Children seldom see their parents, or when they are at home, their policing attitude lingers on without any ramification. Marital and other family problems will easily arise.

A third setback concerns a general inability to accept their own vulnerability, especially in times of trouble. Because of the need to maintain a front of authority and resilience, they seldom communicate their need to share. Nor do they seek help when problems arise. They often forget that like any other human being, they need concern and attention from others from time to time. This failure to express one's needs and feelings renders some officers unable to establish mutual-understanding and support with others.

Seven articles will be written by our team of Police Clinical Psychologists on these issues of interpersonal relationships. We all believe that when carefully handled, our relationships with others can be one of the most rewarding meanings in life, rather than a frustrating liability.

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