However, we can't simply deny the possibilities. What if we, or our buddies, do get injured in line of duty, suffer from heart attacks, slips and falls, car accidents and other common injuries? The first step of effective coping is to know what changes would be necessary as a result.

Physically, we may be incapacitated in our mobility. We must learn new ways to use our body parts and cope with the reality that we could return to work but on alternative duties. Our original aspiration in our career path may become unfeasible under the new circumstances, and we may need to consider an alternative career path within and without the Force. As a natural human response, some of us will feel painful about this and want to deny it; and some of us may get depressed, feel anxious about our future and withdraw from social interaction. It is thus important for us to recognise the reality of our reactions and feelings, respect them and cope with them.

1. Stay Positive. Look for new perspectives and broaden your information base. Many disabled officers or injured officers who have to adapt to alternative duties perform excellently in their new roles. One beauty about the Force is that we have a huge variety of roles that are indispensable to the Force's effort against crime and that support one another. Talk to those who have experienced similar problems. They will let you know that when one window closes, a door is opened. There are still lots of possibilities out there.

2. Follow your treatment and make a realistic assessment of your capabilities. When we are down, we tend to exaggerate the negatives. The result limits our choices and possibilities unnecessarily. Therefore, it is important to strictly adhere to medical treatment, consult your physician on your situation and get his or her advice on your prognosis and plan accordingly.

3. Maintain Contact. Some injured officers feel isolated from the Force once debilitation takes them off their original duty. Others worry that they have become a burden to their family, leading them to detach from their most significant others. Indeed, the odds are that every one of them still cares about you, though they may not be able to express it. Evidence shows that social support facilitates recovery of many illnesses. Open yourself up! Your family, friends and colleagues would all feel better.

4. Seek Professional Help. If you find yourself bothered emotionally, please feel free to contact us at 2866-6206 (HKI, PHQ, Marine) & 2735-3739 (Kln & NT) for an appointment. Other personnel services are also available to you.

As a colleague, I hope that by now you understand more about the physical and emotional difficulties that an injured officer must face. They may act like their usual selves after the incident. Above all, as a colleague, please maintain contact with the injured officers. As a supervisor, your words of support, provision of practical information, and the facilitation of your subordinate's help-seeking mean a whole lot to the sick officer. The injured officer may no longer be part of your team, or even the Force, but the injury shouldn't mean complete disconnection from the 'family'.

I wish you all good health!

References:

Miller, Christa M. (2002) Protecting the protectors: resources for disabled and injured law enforcement officers. Available online: http://www.policeandsecuritynews.com/janfeb02/protectors.htm

Mayhew, C. (2001) Occupational health and safety risks faced by police officers. Australian Institute of Criminology: Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice. February 2001. Available online: http://www.aic.gov.au/