scholarly journals Acceptability of a real-time notification of stress and access to self-help therapies among law enforcement officers

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn K. Jetelina ◽  
Rebecca Molsberry ◽  
Lauren Malthaner ◽  
Alaina Beauchamp ◽  
M. Brad Cannell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Police Departments ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Smart Watch ◽  
Personal Technology

Abstract Background Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are exposed to chronic stress throughout the course of their shift, which increases the risk of adverse events. Although there have been studies targeting LEO safety through enhanced training or expanded equipment provisions, there has been little attempt to leverage personal technology in the field to provide real-time notification of LEO stress. This study tests the acceptability of implementing of a brief, smart watch intervention to alleviate stress among LEOs. Methods We assigned smart watches to 22 patrol LEOs across two police departments: one suburban department and one large, urban department. At baseline, we measured participants’ resting heart rates (RHR), activated their watches, and educated them on brief wellness interventions in the field. LEOs were instructed to wear the watch during the entirety of their shift for 30 calendar days. When LEO’s heart rate or stress continuum reached the predetermined threshold for more than 10 min, the watch notified LEOs, in real time, of two stress reduction interventions: [1] a 1-min, guided breathing exercise; and [2] A Calm app, which provided a mix of guided meditations and mindfulness exercises for LEOs needing a longer decompression period. After the study period, participants were invited for semi-structured interviews to elucidate intervention components. Qualitative data were analyzed using an immersion-crystallization approach. Results LEOs reported three particularly useful intervention components: 1) a vibration notification when hearts rates remained high, although receipt of a notification was highly variable; 2) visualization of their heart rate and stress continuum in real time; and, 3) breathing exercises. The most frequently reported type of call for service when the watch vibrated was when a weapon was involved or when a LEO was in pursuit of a murder suspect/hostage. LEOs also recollected that their watch vibrated while reading dispatch notes or while on their way to work. Conclusions A smart watch can deliver access to brief wellness interventions in the field in a manner that is both feasible and acceptable to LEOs.

scholarly journals Acceptability of a Real-time Notification of Stress and Access to Self- Help Therapies Among Law Enforcement Officers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn K Jetelina ◽  
Rebecca Molsberry ◽  
Lauren Malthaner ◽  
Alaina Beauchamp ◽  
M. Brad Cannell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Smart Watch ◽  
Use Behavior

Abstract Background: Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are exposed to chronic stress throughout the course of their shift, which increases the risk of adverse events. Although there have been studies targeting LEO safety through enhanced training or expanded equipment provisions, there has been little attempt to leverage personal technology in the field to provide real-time notification of LEO stress. This study tests the acceptability of implementing of a brief, smart watch intervention to alleviate stress among LEOs. Methods: We assigned smart watches to 22 patrol LEOs across two police departments: one suburban department and one large, urban department. At baseline, we measured participants’ resting heart rates (RHR), activated their watches, and educated them on brief wellness interventions in the field. LEOs were instructed to wear the watch during the entirety of their shift for 30 calendar days. When LEO’s heart rate or stress continuum reached the predetermined threshold for more than 10 minutes, the watch notified LEOs, in real time, of two stress reduction interventions: (1) a 1-minute, guided breathing exercise; and (2) A Calm app, which provided a mix of guided meditations and mindfulness exercises for LEOs needing a longer decompression period. After the study period, participants were invited for semi-structured interviews to elucidate ease-of-use, behavior change, and potential scalability. Qualitative data were analyzed using an immersion-crystallization approach. Results: LEOs reported three particularly useful intervention components: 1) a vibration notification when hearts rates remained high, although receipt of a notification was highly variable; 2) visualization of their heart rate and stress continuum in real time; and, 3) breathing exercises. The most frequently reported type of call for service when the watch vibrated was when a weapon was involved or when a LEO was in pursuit of a murder suspect/hostage. LEOs also recollected that their watch vibrated while reading dispatch notes or while on their way to work.Conclusions: A smart watch can deliver access to brief wellness interventions in the field in a manner that is both feasible and acceptable to LEOs. Trial Registration: NA

scholarly journals Pilot Trial of a Noninvasive Closed-Loop Neurotechnology for Stress-Related Symptoms in Law Enforcement: Improvements in Self-Reported Symptoms and Autonomic Function

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 216495612092328
Author(s):  
Catherine L Tegeler ◽  
Hossam A Shaltout ◽  
Sung W Lee ◽  
Sean L Simpson ◽  
Lee Gerdes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Autonomic Function ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Law Enforcement Personnel

Background Law enforcement officers have decreased life expectancy, attributed to work-related exposure to traumatic stress and circadian disruption. Autonomic dysregulation is reported with traumatic stress and chronic insomnia. Objective We explore potential benefits for reduced symptoms related to stress and insomnia and improved autonomic function associated with open label use of high-resolution, relational, resonance-based, electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREM®), in a cohort of sworn law enforcement personnel. Methods Closed-loop noninvasive therapies utilizing real-time monitoring offer a patient-centric approach for brain-based intervention. HIRREM® is a noninvasive, closed-loop, allostatic, neurotechnology that echoes specific brain frequencies in real time as audible tones to support self-optimization of brain rhythms. Self-report symptom inventories done before and after HIRREM included insomnia (ISI), depression (CES-D), traumatic stress (PCL-C), anxiety (GAD-7), perceived stress (PSS), and quality of life (EQ-5D). Ten-minute recordings of heart rate and blood pressure allowed analysis of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and heart rate variability (HRV). Results Fifteen participants (1 female), mean (SD) age 45.7 (5.6), received 12.2 (2.7) HIRREM sessions, over 7.9 in-office days. Data were collected at baseline, and at 22.8 (9.2), and 67.2 (14.1) days after intervention. All symptom inventories improved significantly ( P < .01), with durability for 2 months after completion of the intervention. The use of HIRREM was also associated with significant increases ( P < .001) in HRV measured as rMSSD and BRS measured by high-frequency alpha index. There were no serious adverse events or drop outs. Conclusion These pilot data provide the first report of significant symptom reductions, and associated improvement in measures of autonomic cardiovascular regulation, with the use of HIRREM in a cohort of law enforcement personnel. Randomized clinical trials are warranted.

Motivations for Police Support of Domestic Violence Response Team Implementation With Advocates

2020 ◽  
pp. 107780122093082
Author(s):  
Laura Johnson ◽  
Elisheva Davidoff ◽  
Abigail R. DeSilva
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Police Departments ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Serious Crime ◽  
Response Team ◽  
Domestic Violence Organizations

In New Jersey, collaboration between police departments and advocates from domestic violence organizations is mandated by state policy, which requires law enforcement agencies to participate in domestic violence response teams (DVRTs). The purpose of this study is to examine factors that motivate police officers to implement DVRT. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with DVRT coordinators and domestic violence liaison police officers. Findings suggest that police motivation for implementing the intervention is often influenced by perceived benefits to police response and investigation, perceived benefits to victims, the need to comply with mandates, and recognition of domestic violence as a serious crime.

scholarly journals Psychophysiology of slow breathing exercises using heart rate variability measurements for stress reduction

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dante Jr. Guanlao Simbulan
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Positive Sign ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Skin Response ◽  
Slow Breathing

Slow breathing exercises, associated with meditation and other eastern style modalities like tai chi and hatha yoga, are now increasingly employed in mainstream medicine to reduce stress, attenuate moderate hypertension, and alleviate symptoms of lifestyle-related illnesses. The clinical literature on slow breathing exercises includes studies employing various physiological measurements, including heart rate variability (HRV), galvanic skin response, and changes in skin temperature. HRV has been increasingly used to measure the activity of the autonomic nervous system in various human studies employing healthy and chronically ill subjects. 1. Objective: To understand the effects of slow breathing exercises on heart rate variability as a complementary intervention for stress reduction. 2. Method: Four subjects, through repetitive trials, were instructed to slow down their breathing following a metronome at 10 breaths per minute or 6 breaths per minute or spontaneously relax to slow down their respiratory rate. The ECG, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded using a Powerlab set-up (ADI). 3. Key Results:  Results showed an increase in amplitude of heart rate variability during these slow breathing exercises, either through the metronome-guided or spontaneous slow-breathing exercises, especially around a breathing frequency of 6 breaths per minute. The increased amplitude of heart rate variability can be seen as a positive sign, a marker for sympathovagal balance. 4. Conclusion: HRV measurements have shown that slow breathing exercises can increase heart rate variability.  Future protocols for clinical trials are being projected using the HRV technique and other physiological measurements for studying effects of yoga-based complementary interventions for stress reduction.

Resting heart rate and risk of violent encounters during arrest in a sample of law enforcement officers

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryanna Fox ◽  
Lauren N. Miley ◽  
Richard K. Moule Jr
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Purpose Research indicates that a link exists between resting heart rate (RHR) and various forms of antisocial, violent and criminal behavior among community and criminal samples. However, the relationship between RHR and engagement in aggressive/violent encounters among law enforcement has not yet been examined. The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between RHR and engagement in violent encounters using prospective longitudinal data on a sample of law enforcement officers in the USA. Design/methodology/approach Negative binomial regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox hazard regressions are conducted using a sample of 544 police officers to determine if there a relationship between RHR and engagement in violent encounters by law enforcement, even when controlling for demographics, biological and social covariates. Findings Results indicate that higher RHR is associated with an increased risk of officers engaging in a violent altercation, as measured by the number of arrests for suspects resisting arrest with violence, even after controlling for all other relevant factors. Originality/value This study was the first to examine police officers RHR levels and its associated with violent altercations during arrest using a rigorous statistical methodology.

scholarly journals An Internet of Medical Things-Based Model for Real-Time Monitoring and Averting Stroke Sensors

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hatim Z. Almarzouki ◽  
Hemaid Alsulami ◽  
Ali Rizwan ◽  
Mohammed S. Basingab ◽  
Hatim Bukhari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Healthcare Management ◽  
Relative Power ◽  
Medical Monitoring ◽  
Real Time Monitoring ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Acquisition Processes

In recent years, neurological diseases have become a standout amongst all the other diseases and are the most important reasons for mortality and morbidity all over the world. The current study’s aim is to conduct a pilot study for testing the prototype of the designed glove-wearable technology that could detect and analyze the heart rate and EEG for better management and avoiding stroke consequences. The qualitative, clinical experimental method of assessment was explored by incorporating use of an IoT-based real-time assessing medical glove that was designed using heart rate-based and EEG-based sensors. We conducted structured interviews with 90 patients, and the results of the interviews were analyzed by using the Barthel index and were grouped accordingly. Overall, the proportion of patients who followed proper daily heart rate recording behavior went from 46.9% in the first month of the trial to 78.2% after 3–10 months of the interventions. Meanwhile, the percentage of individuals having an irregular heart rate fell from 19.5% in the first month of the trial to 9.1% after 3–10 months of intervention research. In T5, we found that delta relative power decreased by 12.1% and 5.8% compared with baseline at 3 and at 6 months and an average increase was 24.3 ± 0.08. Beta-1 remained relatively steady, while theta relative power grew by 7% and alpha relative power increased by 31%. The T1 hemisphere had greater mean values of delta and theta relative power than the T5 hemisphere. For alpha ( p  < 0.05) and beta relative power, the opposite pattern was seen. The distinction was statistically significant for delta ( p  < 0.001), alpha ( p  < 0.01), and beta-1 ( p  < 0.05) among T1 and T5 patient groups. In conclusion, our single center-based study found that such IoT-based real-time medical monitoring devices significantly reduce the complexity of real-time monitoring and data acquisition processes for a healthcare provider and thus provide better healthcare management. The emergence of significant risks and controlling mechanisms can be improved by boosting the awareness. Furthermore, it identifies the high-risk factors besides facilitating the prevention of strokes. The EEG-based brain-computer interface has a promising future in upcoming years to avert DALY.

scholarly journals A Criminological Examination Of The Use Of Cyberspace To Traffic Drugs In Durban South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (03) ◽  
pp. 5864-5871
Author(s):  
Dr.EPHRAIM KEVIN SIBANYONI
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
South African ◽  
Drug Trafficking ◽  
Secure Communication ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Virtual Private Networks ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Onion Ring

This study focused on the use of cyberspace to traffic drugs in Durban, South Africa. The study seeks to determine how cyberspace is used as a tool to traffic drugs in Durban, South Africa; to investigate the current South African laws as deterrence to combat drug trafficking via cyberspace. The studyused the qualitative research method. The data was collected from a sample consisting of eight respondents using the purposive sampling technique. The researchers collected data using semi-structured interviews and the collected data was analyzed through thematic content analysis. The findings depicted that cyberspace is used as a tool to traffic drugs in Durban by providing cyberspace users with the platform to engage in unlimited and secure communication. The use of Virtual Private Networks and The Onion Ring makes it exceptionally difficult to trace cybercriminals. Recommendation: There is a need for more awareness around cybercrime and, more particularly, drug trafficking via cyberspace. More law enforcement officers should be provided with training regarding cyberspace and drug trafficking via cyberspace.

Some features of professional law enforcement communications

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-99
Author(s):  
Александр Хаврак ◽  
Aleksandr Khavrak ◽  
Наталья Николаева (Зайцева) ◽  
Natalya Nicolaeva (Zaytseva)
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Police Departments ◽  
Communicative Interaction ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Communication Models ◽  
Professional Law ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
Effective Result

The article describes the main specific features of the organizational component of the processes of communication and communication in the field of law enforcement agencies, due to their specific activity. The concepts of communication and communication are compared in a semantic context, an analysis has been made and in a functional informational and communicative aspect in relation to the activities of specialists of various police departments, whose activities significantly differ not only in subject-object structure, but also in functional, subordinate and other differences. In connection with the diverse specificities of various aspects of the communicative process of law enforcement officers, the authors used general scientific (general logical) methods: analysis, synthesis, comparison, description, studied in scientific literature and generalized communication models of subjects of communication, the formation of personal and professional potential in various professional environments law enforcement practices, indicating which models in which professional environments will produce the most effective result. Knowledge of these features of building communicative interaction will generally improve the communicative culture of law enforcement officers.

scholarly journals Investigating Self-regulation, Mindfulness and Neuro-emotional Balance in Law Enforcement Officers

2021 ◽  
pp. 100-108
Author(s):  
Е.А. Сорокоумова ◽  
Р.В. Лаптев
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
External Environment ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Adaptive Potential ◽  
Mental Strain ◽  
Mindful Attention ◽  
Mindful Attention Awareness Scale ◽  
Emotional Balance

Социальная ситуация в нашей стране, а также во всем мире демонстрирует важность психической готовности сотрудников правоохранительных органов к работе в условиях риска, постоянного повышенного воздействия факторов окружающей среды, основным компонентом которого является психологическая нагрузка. Важной частью общей боевой подготовки является формирование произвольной саморегуляции, которая помогает предотвратить негативные воздействия окружающей среды и повысить эффективность профессиональной деятельности. Цель нашего исследования заключалась в выявлении уровня саморегуляции, осознанности, нервно-психической устойчивости и способности регулировать уровень частоты сердечных сокращений (ЧСС) у сотрудников правоохранительных органов при выполнении ими профессиональных задач повышенной сложности в экстремальных и потенциально опасных условиях смоделированной деятельности в рамках учебных сборов. Были использованы опросник «Стиль саморегуляции поведения» (ССП) В. И. Моросанова, экспресс-методика «Прогноз-2» для оценки нервно-психической неустойчивости В. Ю. Рыбникова, многоуровневый личностный опросник «Адаптивность» (МЛО-АМ) А. Г. Маклакова и С. В. Чермянина, шкала оценки внимательности и осознанности в повседневной жизни — Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), пятифакторный опросник осознанности (ПФОО) Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) в модификации Н. М. Юмартова, Н. В. Гришина и методика исследования влияния программы по произвольной саморегуляции на частоту сердечных сокращений с помощью прибора биологически обратной связи (БОС-пульс). В статье представлены результаты эмпирического исследования саморегуляции, осознанности и нервно-психической устойчивости у 250 сотрудников правоохранительных органов. Большая их часть (70 %) имели низкий, ниже среднего и средний уровень нервно-психической устойчивости (НПУ); невысоко развитые умения осознанно управлять своим состоянием с помощью имеющихся навыков саморегуляции, испытывали затруднения с расслаблением; 35,2 % сотрудников демонстрировали низкий личностный адаптивный потенциал (ЛАП), а 52,4 % — ниже среднего. Они находились в зоне риска, что могло негативно влиять на выполнение служебных задач по охране правопорядка. Это диктует необходимость дополнительной работы по самосовершенствованию или организованной психологической коррекции отмеченных состояний. The analysis of the social situation in Russia and in the world shows that law enforcement officers should be psychologically prepared to work in the conditions of risk and constant influence of the external environment, which is associated with mental strain. It is essential that novice law enforcement officers should be taught to develop their self-regulation skills which will help them prevent adverse effects of the external environment and increase the efficiency of their work. The aim of the research is to identify the level of law enforcement officers’ self-regulation and mindfulness, to assess their neuro-emotional balance and their ability to regulate their heart rate when performing highly challenging professional tasks in extreme and potentially dangerous situations during simulation learning. The authors used the Self-regulation Questionnaire by V. I. Morosanov, the Prediction express-method by V. Yu. Rybnikov (to assess neuro-emotional balance), the multilevel personality questionnaire “Adaptability” by A. G. Maklakov and S. V. Chermyainn, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire modified by N. M. Yumartov and N. V. Grishin, the method of investigating the influence of self-regulation on heart rate by means of the Biofeedback technique. The article presents the results of an empirical research of self-regulation, mindfulness and neuro-emotional balance in 250 law enforcement officers. The majority of observees (70%) had a low, below average or average level of neuro-emotional balance, failed to self-regulate their emotional state, experienced difficulties when attempting to relax; 35.2% of law enforcement officers demonstrated low adaptive potential, 52.4% of law enforcement officers’ adaptive potential was below average. The observees were subject to risk and therefore, their performance could be negatively influenced. The research underlies the necessity to improve the described states,

scholarly journals How Does Time Spent Working in Custody Influence Health and Fitness Characteristics of Law Enforcement Officers?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9297
Author(s):  
Robert G. Lockie ◽  
Karly A. Rodas ◽  
J. Jay Dawes ◽  
Joseph M. Dulla ◽  
Robin M. Orr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Health And Fitness

This study investigated the influence of time spent working in custody on the health and fitness of law enforcement officers (LEOs). Retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 48 male and 12 female LEOs, divided into groups based upon time spent working custody: LEO ≤ 24 (≤24 months; n = 15); LEO 2547 (25–47 months; n = 24); and LEO 48+ (≥48 months; n = 21). The following were measured: body mass index (BMI); fat mass percentage; waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); resting heart rate (RHR); blood pressure; grip strength; sit-and-reach; push-ups; sit-ups; and YMCA step test recovery heart rate (HR). A univariate ANCOVA (controlling for sex and age) with Bonferroni post hoc determined significant between-group differences. Select assessments were compared to normative data. The LEO 48+ group completed fewer sit-ups than the LEO 2547 group (p = 0.006); there were no other significant between-group differences. Forty-nine LEOs were overweight or obese according to BMI; 52 were fatter than average or above; 27 had a WHR that increased cardiovascular disease risk. Forty-three LEOs had very poor RHR; 52 had elevated blood pressure. Forty-eight LEOs had average-to-very poor step test recovery HR. Irrespective of time spent working in custody, personnel should be physically active to maintain health and fitness and, where possible, engage in formal strength training and conditioning.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document