INDIANAPOLIS -
Police work ranks at the top of the list for stressful jobs. That may help explain what pushed an Indianapolis Metro Police officer over the edge, sparking a dangerous stand-off.
The troubled officer found himself in the middle of a stand-off against fellow officers Tuesday.
"He was armed at the time and due to the situation, SWAT was called in," said Anthony Schneider, IMPD.
Officers located their fellow officer around 8:30 am Tuesday walking in Tarkington Park distraught and threatening to harm himself. Dr. Richard Weinblatt, social services dean at Ivy Tech Community College, says some officers keep personal issues bottled up only to risk explosion.
"The problem is trying to get the officer to come forward without the stigma, without the career-ending situation," said Weinblatt.
IMPD's relatively new professional standards division is also designed to help officers in all aspects of life.
"The emphasis is making that person mentally and physically sound to help them in their professional and personal life," said Val Cunningham, IMPD.
Police officers rank fifth on a list of the most stressful jobs in America. Soldiers, firefighters and pilots top the list. The rankings are based on physical demands, hazards and risk of others and risk to one's own life.
"Police officers are like anyone else. They are vulnerable to those stresses," said Cunningham.
Although the standoff in the park ended peacefully, the department's work is far from over. They will make sure the officer gets the help he needs.
"The other thing is to create programs so that they feel like they are not alone. A lot of law enforcement agencies created peer counseling programs," said Weinblatt.
The officer from Tuesday's standoff is undergoing evaluation as his breakdown serves as a reality for his fellow officers facing the same stress.
Most stressful jobs:
1. Enlisted Military Soldier
2. Firefighter
3. Airline Pilot
4. Military General
5. Police Officer
6. Event Coordinator
7. Public Relations Executive
8. Corporate Executive (CEO)
9. Photojournalist
10. Taxi Driver
