Gazette - Taking on the challenge

COVER - REMOTE AND NORTHERN POLICING

Psychological preparedness and coping in an isolated post

by Dr. Barbara J. Schmalz Phd, R.Psych. Divisional Psychologist, RCMP

The excitement and challenge of policing in remote locations is an integral part of RCMP history. Time has not much altered the stories that members share about experiences in isolated posts. The adventure and anticipated experience of working in the North, for instance, continues to entice members at various stages of their careers. After an experience in a remote post, a member can speak with confidence about the personal and career gains, the good and the bad, and what worked and what didn’t work so well.

At the RCMP, a prospective posting in an isolated location is initiated by the member; it is a self-directed career option. Given the voluntary nature of the application, a certain degree of “self selection” has already occurred. Sometime later, as part of a required medical screening, the member participates in a psychological screening process to ensure that there are no psychological vulnerabilities at that point in time that would impact healthy operational functioning in the isolated location.

Remote policing presents a unique set of psychological challenges. A certain type of functionality and resiliency is desirable, if not necessary, not only to “survive” remote postings, but also to manage effectively in remote communities. What are the psychological challenges one might expect to face in remote locations?

Psychological challenges

The environmental and cultural context represents the biggest challenge for a member ’s psychological stability in remote locations.

The environmental extremes can significantly affect psychological health. For example, in a northern posting, minimal natural light throughout the winter months will affect mood, increasing the risk for developing depression, particularly among those who are predisposed to mood disorders. As well, extremely cold temperatures can reduce the opportunity for physical activity, thereby restricting available methods of stress reduction.

The lack of or difference in social and cultural activities limits opportunities for meeting social needs, and creates a risk of social isolation and loneliness.

Whether the member is single, married, dating or in a long-distance relationship, an isolated posting has the potential to create sufficient strain on existing relationships, and it can often eliminate the development of such relationships for an extended period of time. The strength of a relationship — with or without the spouse relocating — will certainly be tested during an isolated posting.

Alternatively, members will talk about the mature development of a relationship as a result of two or three years in the North, where a co-operative effort at communication leads to a stronger bond. The challenges of parenting will also be highlighted due to the lack of extended family and supports, the lack of available child care, fewer alternate educational opportunities and a possible reduction in extracurricular activities.

Depending on a member’s stage of life, working in an isolated post can create a unique set of life challenges. Living and working far away from one’s extended family is not uncommon for members of a national police force. However, when faced with such life changes as childbirth, illnes, and aging parents, these missing support systems are amplified in remote locations, where accessibility to transportation is limited. The age and stage of child-bearing and child-rearing should be taken into consideration since unique stressors may be created if parents or children have special medical or psychological needs. For example, the lack of accessible, qualified medical specialists will increase stress levels if a couple is faced with fertility problems or has a child with special needs.

Preparedness and coping

A commitment to life balance is essential for healthy long term functioning for all members, but is guaranteed to build resilience to take on the challenges of policing in isolated posts. Before embarking on a northern transfer or accepting a remote posting, it helps for police officers to understand how effective they are at paying attention to their needs outside of work. It is all too easy to work 24/7 at the exclusion of all else, especially in the North. Regardless of the amount of time orthe appeal of the activity, making a commitment to set aside some time for physical, social, intellectual, mental and spiritual activities will help a police officer’s overall emotional health. While the nature of the activities may be different than in other locations, the gains will be the same.

Marital and family situations can both enrich and complicate the psychological health of a member in a remote location. Maintaining open communication with family members about the positive and negative events and challenges is very important. Couples and parents share in the responsibility of ensuring that they and their children don’t become “isolated” in the remote posting. Social and emotional withdrawal is a risk that can lead to depression as well as marital and workplace conflict. There is a strong tradition of members taking care of each other as“one big family” in small northern communities. This sense of community will make the experience second to none. But without it, some members will struggle.

Many members can experience a great deal of growth, on may levels, while on a remote posting. While members often rave about the professional strides that can be made in these settings, many also recognize a psychological maturity and growth that takes place in themselves and in their families.

The adventure and cultural experiences can certainly be unique and enriching, but crucial to gaining any of the above is the member’s attitude. Mental health professionals know that how people think — their attitude — will determine how they feel and ultimately how they function in their day-to-day lives. Understanding and checking one’s attitude to life in general — and to specific areas of life such as work and family — is a prerequisite to having a productive and positive experience in remote detachments. Put simply, if a negative attitude prevails over time, eventually most aspects of the member’s functioning will be affected, and problems will arise.

The staffing procedures that are in place for RCMP isolated postings do provide some parameters for ensuring psychological stability. Scheduled trips out of the community and limited duration postings at any one location are intended to create a supportive environment that will reduce long-term, adverse affects. The rest is up to the individual.

It is very important for members to reach out to each other, at work and at home, on a regular basis. Keep the relationships going and put effort into making them better. If things start to deteriorate, there is ample assistance available through RCMP Psychological Services and the Member and Employee Assistance Program.

The goal is to start off healthy, stay healthy and return healthy — and hopefully to have gained from the adventure. The best way to learn about policing in remote postings is to speak to members who have been there — they are the true experts!

Dr. Barbara J. Schmalz has spent 10 years conducting psychological screening assessments for RCMP officers seeking limited duration and isolated postings.