Joy in the Process: Reframing Happiness

Joy in the Process: Reframing Happiness

Officers/Agents
[mc4wp_form id="746"] By: Joshua Browne, M.P.S. Unfortunate or Blessed? A couple of weeks ago, an off-duty officer employed at my police department was walking in his apartment complex in route to check his mail box.  Along the way, he was intercepted by two young males, who attempted to rob him at gun point.  It appears the males were unaware he was an off-duty police officer carrying a concealed weapon.  During the encounter, gun fire was exchanged.  The off-duty officer sustained a non-life-threatening single gunshot wound to the foot, while one of the suspects incurred a single gunshot wound and the other two.  Both suspects were apprehended at the hospital a short time later and are currently in custody.  All involved are expected to make a full recovery.  As you contemplate…
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Orientating Towards Learned Optimism and Post Traumatic Growth

Orientating Towards Learned Optimism and Post Traumatic Growth

Officers/Agents
[mc4wp_form id="746"] Orientating Towards Learned Optimism and Post Traumatic Growth By: Joshua Browne, M.P.S. Suddenly Summoned Back on Duty: I reside in a quiet suburban neighborhood in a low crime area, near Salt Lake City, Utah.  The neighborhoods I serve while on duty as a police sergeant, are substantially more active with prolific crime.  I anticipate responding to violent crime scenes while on duty, but rely on the ability to return to a place of safety, where I can enjoy the suburban bubble.  This was true early in my career while working in inner city San Diego neighborhoods and continues as an expectation today. A few years ago, those expectations were suddenly interrupted, as I exited my police issued vehicle after a full day of work.  While in the process…
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Purposeful Planning: How the Execution of Autonomy Moderates Stress and Produces Contentment

Purposeful Planning: How the Execution of Autonomy Moderates Stress and Produces Contentment

Officers/Agents
[mc4wp_form id="746"] Purposeful Planning: How the Execution of Autonomy Moderates Stress and Produces Contentment By Joshua Browne, M.P.S. The Prison Sentence Anyone possessing moderate experience interacting with law enforcement professionals, is well versed in the tradition of officers providing regular status reports on their retirement exit date.  Officers will routinely offer this update whenever a discussion regarding some stressful or other despised aspect of their job is discussed.  Recently, I had a telephone conversation with a patrol sergeant from a neighboring agency.  While discussing the issue of insufficient staffing levels at both of our agencies, he spontaneously offered his personal countdown status, ā€œ333 days and Iā€™m out of here.ā€ Although I have never served time in or worked in a prison or jail, I can confidently assert a similar statement…
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Positive Multi-Directional Leadership: Ascending, Descending and Horizontal Emotional Support

Positive Multi-Directional Leadership: Ascending, Descending and Horizontal Emotional Support

Leaders
[mc4wp_form id="746"] Positive Multi-Directional Leadership: Ascending, Descending and Horizontal Emotional Support By Joshua Browne, M.P.S. The Vital Role of Law Enforcement Professionals Law enforcement professionals perform a vital, but unique role in a free society.  Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (2004) postulated the rapid deterioration and subsequent annihilation of a free society, almost immediately following the removal of police officers, who regulate its delicate balance between individual liberty and safety.  Western society demands consistent, valiant and ethical performance from its police forces.   Police officers are among a small group of professionals, expected to suppress typical human emotional reactions to traumatic, stressful and life threatening circumstances.  Thus, when the public withdrawals from corrosive, dangerous and emotionally traumatizing events, it expects its police officers to confront such incidents with a measured and professional…
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