Preface -- 1. The nature of stress -- Introduction -- Definition -- Research on stress -- Pressures -- 2. Stress and coping -- Introduction -- Physiological responses to stressful events -- Psychological responses to stressful events -- 3. Stress in policing -- The nature of police work -- Stress in policing--problems with the evidence -- The evidence--stressors -- The evidence--stress reactions -- Categories of stressors -- Summary -- 4. Stressors for special groups -- Introduction -- Ethnic minority officers -- Women officers -- Civilian personnel -- Gay and lesbian officers -- Small and rural departments -- The family -- Higher education -- Special assignments -- 5. Recognizing stress reactions -- Introduction -- Recognizing stress reactions in others -- 6. Techniques for individual stress management I -- Introduction -- A note about self-help -- Goal setting -- Time management -- Financial planning -- Physical fitness -- Nutrition -- Rest -- Meditation -- Progressive relaxation -- Biofeedback -- Hypnosis -- 7. Techniques for individual stress management II : cognitive strategies -- Introduction -- Irrational thought patterns -- Alternative ways of thinking : guidelines for a low-stress life-cognitive style -- Stress inoculation training -- Anger management -- Differential effectiveness of strategies -- 8. Support strategies -- Introduction -- Informal support -- Formal peer support programs -- Debriefing -- Professional help -- Psychoactive medication -- The chaplaincy -- Conclusion -- 9. Organizational strategies for stress management -- Introduction -- Prevention -- Selection -- Training -- Officers "at risk" -- Mental health professionals -- 10. Suggestions for training -- Introduction -- Notes on training methods -- Curriculum core -- Command personnel -- First-line supervisors -- Especially stressful assignments -- First-line officers -- Recruit training -- The family -- Case materials -- Appendix A. Introduction to research methods -- Appendix B. Resources, tips and gimmicks.