When you fall in love... with a cop!!

A book can broaden readers' perspective and may even inspire them. You may find that this is just what happens when reading: "I love a Cop - What Police Families Need to Know".

Although police are often a focal point for both the community and the media, not many people truly understand the mechanisms of the real police world, not even their immediate family.

Members of a police would definitely agree that family life is not easy. Shift duty, the family's lack of understanding of the police organisational structure and culture, coupled with the reluctance of some officers to express themselves honestly to family members, creates a divide separating police officers from their most crucial support network - their own family. Subsequently, spouses and children are frustrated by apparently distant, and sometimes cynical, police partners or parents, who in turn feel isolated and misunderstood.

"I love a Cop" is a book specifically written for police officers and their families in order to help all parties cope with the stresses of police life and work.

The author, Dr. Ellen Kirschman, a clinical psychologist and consultant based in the United States, has been working with police officers and their families for 20 years and was a consultant at the FBI academy.

With her vast experience, Dr Kirschman presents a clear, detailed account of the realities of police work, paradoxes faced by most police officers, and their inner struggles in different work-related situations. By reading this book police officers can heighten their own awareness and motivate themselves to take positive action with regard to dealing with personal stress within both their work organisation and, indeed, their family unit.

Family members will gain greater insight into the stresses placed on a police officer, and the positive and negative impacts of police work on the personalities and affection directed to, and from, loved ones. Practical information sheds light on the ways family members can adjust to police family life, and equips them with the tools required to be a valuable support system for their loved ones in coping with such a high-stress occupation.

The book is very comprehensive and contents include:

- the realities of police work and its impact on family life (e.g. shift duty);

- paradoxes of police officers (e.g. rewarded for maintaining emotional distance when carrying out duties, but punished by using the same emotional control in family life);

- organisational stress and disappointment;

- critical incident and traumatic stress;

- emotional extremes of police stress - domestic abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide;

- ways to get help when needed/ required;

- special challenges faced by minorities in the organisation e.g. women;

- required adjustments/sacrifices in marriage for police couples

Throughout the book, Dr Kirschman refers to many real-life situations to illustrate various issues addressed in the text. Particularly insightful are the constructive tips and guidance listed at the end of each section which can be used in practical application to lessen the negative impact, and prevent problems, in police families.

You may wonder if differences in culture and organisational systems between the United States and Hong Kong restrict the practicality of the book to our police officers. Local police officers will find many similarities between the stresses and demands placed upon officers in Hong Kong and their counterparts in the United States.

Besides being a useful self-help guide for police officers and family members, the book is also recommended for those who work with the force and are interested in promoting mental health, such as administrators, counsellors, and psychiatrists.

Book title: I love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know

Author: Ellen Kirschman, Ph. D.

Publisher: The Guilford Press

Seek advice and help from the Psychological Services Group:

PHQ, Hong Kong Island and Marine: 2866-6206 (5/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay); Kowloon and the New Territories: 2735-3739 (22/F, Ocean Building, 80 Shanghai Street, Kowloon).

Seek advice and help from the Psychological Services Group: PHQ, Hong Kong Island and Marine: 2866-6206 (5/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay); Kowloon and the New Territories: 2735-3739 (22/F, Ocean Building, 80 Shanghai Street, Kowloon).

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