Ironically a lot of what officers do to make their job safer, makes it more dangerous. They get used to demanding id, stopping and frisking, violating people's rights, manufacturing stupid charges, over reacting and generally being disrespectful. One day they're going to run into the wrong guy who doesn't play that game.
It's a hard and stressful job but also one that is a great honor to perform. I'd love to have the chance to save people every day. Who wouldn't? They're also quite lucky to be cops. I also don't think it takes on going stress to cause issues in police performance. Trauma and stress can be a one time experience that causes physiological changes in your brain. The wrong guy can snap on day one.
Specifically regarding the Calgary Police Force, their willful avoidance of training and education in dealing with mental health issues is pitiful. Almost every other police force and fire department in North America takes that training but not our guys. We just take em all down cause officer safety.
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