Canada's police officers may be well-paid, but they are paying dearly
in terms of their mental and physical health, according to the findings
of a major study of officer wellness to be released Tuesday by Ottawa's
Carleton University.
The study, believed to be the first
of its kind in Canada, says officers are stressed-out and stretched thin
like never before — facing long hours, constantly changing shifts,
understaffing, more complex caseloads and a lack of career-development
opportunities, as well as growing family pressures at home.
Managers
can no longer expect officers to "suck it up," the researchers warn,
adding that police agencies likely will see greater absenteeism, more
long-term disability and benefits payouts, and more difficulties
attracting and retaining officers if they ignore these work-life balance
issues.
"I'm afraid a lot of the young people won't stay,"
Linda Duxbury, a professor at Carleton University's Sprott School of
Business, told Postmedia News.
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