At the Mind/Body Institute, we’re deeply committed to whole-person healing. Our work bridges the mind and body, understanding that chronic stress and trauma are not just mental or emotional experiences—they manifest physically. This becomes especially urgent when we consider the health of those who stand on the front lines: our police officers.
Behind the Uniform: The Real Cost of Chronic Occupational Stress
Law enforcement professionals face exposure to trauma at a frequency few other professions encounter. From witnessing violence and death to high-stakes decision-making and institutional pressure, the emotional weight is profound. While these experiences are often seen as “part of the job,” long-term exposure has a cumulative effect that cannot be ignored.
A recent publication from the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (BCOPS) Study offers one of the most comprehensive looks into how this stress impacts police officers over time (Violanti et al., 2025). Spanning seven to twelve years, this longitudinal study followed officers in Buffalo, New York, assessing both psychological and physiological health.
Key Findings: The Health Decline Over Time
Physical Health:
- Metabolic syndrome increased significantly: Defined by abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance, and other risk factors, the prevalence rose by over 10% across the study period (Violanti et al., 2025).
- Poor sleep quality surged by over 27%, even though sleep duration remained unchanged—highlighting the neurological toll of stress on rest and recovery.
- Cardiovascular risk indicators worsened, including an increase in carotid intima media thickness and reduced brachial artery reactivity, both early signs of heart disease.
Psychological Impact:
- Perceived general health declined, with fewer officers rating their health as excellent or very good.
- Stress related to lack of support and physical/psychological danger increased.
- Though overall perceived stress decreased slightly, the Spielberger Police Stress Survey showed significant increases in job-specific stress, suggesting that routine stress measures may underreport occupation-specific trauma.
These findings support previous research indicating that police officers experience higher all-cause mortality, increased rates of heart disease, and higher prevalence of mental health disorders like PTSD and depression compared to the general population (Hartley et al., 2011; Violanti et al., 2013).
A Trauma-Informed Lens: “What Happened to You?”
Trauma-informed care invites us to shift our perspective: we stop asking, “What’s wrong with you?” and begin asking, “What happened to you?” This subtle shift is profound, especially in law enforcement, where vulnerability is rarely rewarded, and emotional pain is often hidden behind stoicism.
Chronic exposure to trauma dysregulates the nervous system, leading to hypervigilance, emotional numbing, disrupted sleep, and a heightened fight-or-flight response. These aren’t simply stress responses—they’re the body’s attempt to adapt to repeated, unresolved trauma (van der Kolk, 2014).
How EMDR Therapy Can Help
One of the most effective tools we use at the Mind/Body Institute is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Originally developed to treat PTSD, EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories, allowing emotional charge and distress to diminish without the need to retell the trauma in detail (Shapiro, 2018).
For Police Officers, EMDR Can:
- Reduce symptoms of PTSD and anxiety.
- Restore a sense of control and emotional regulation.
- Improve sleep and physical well-being.
- Address moral injury—a common yet often overlooked source of emotional distress in law enforcement.
Studies have shown that EMDR significantly reduces trauma-related symptoms in first responders and military personnel (Jeffries & Davis, 2013), and that these effects are sustained over time.
Systemic Solutions: Creating a Culture of Care
While EMDR is powerful, healing cannot rest solely on the shoulders of individual officers. Agencies must also engage in trauma-informed practices:
- Implement routine mental health screenings.
- Offer EMDR and trauma-focused therapy as part of healthcare benefits.
- Train leadership in trauma-informed supervision and peer support systems.
- Create wellness programs that incentivize holistic health—emotional, physical, and relational.
Programs that reward healthy habits, provide trauma education, and emphasize prevention—not just crisis response—have shown promising outcomes in law enforcement settings (Nice, 2017).
Final Thoughts: Healing Is Possible
To all the officers reading this: You are more than your badge. You carry burdens that aren’t always visible, but they are real—and they are worthy of care. Healing is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of courage.
At the Mind/Body Institute, we are honored to walk with you on this journey. Our trauma-informed clinicians, including EMDR-trained therapists, are here to support your healing—mind, body, and spirit.
References
Hartley, T. A., Burchfiel, C. M., Fekedulegn, D., Andrew, M. E., & Violanti, J. M. (2011). Health disparities in police officers: comparisons to the U.S. general population. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 13(4), 211-220.
Jeffries, F. W., & Davis, P. (2013). What is the role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47(9), 873–880. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867413491154
Nice, D. (2017). Implementing a wellness program in a sheriff’s department: Results and reflections. Sheriff & Deputy Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.sheriffs.org
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.
Violanti, J. M., Fekedulegn, D., Burchfiel, C. M., McCanlies, E., Service, S. K., Mnatsakanova, A., … & Charles, L. E. (2025). Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (BCOPS) Study: A seven- and twelve-year prospective analysis of occupational exposures and health outcomes among police officers. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-025-02142-x
Violanti, J. M., Vena, J. E., & Marshall, J. R. (2013). Suicides, homicides, and accidental death: A comparative risk assessment of police officers and other occupations. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 66(4), 417–427.