Exploring the Lived Experiences of Cumulative Trauma Among Traffic Police Officers

Abstract

Enforcing traffic regulations constitutes a profession fraught with preeminent risks, complemented by many stress-inducing factors. There have been some studies that explored the occupational stressors of professionals in this field, a notable gap in research exists, particularly concerning traffic police officers’ experiences with traumatic accidents and the consequent repercussions. Further, it also aimed to see how they cope with cumulative trauma. The study qualitatively aimed to explore the lived experiences of cumulative trauma through exposure to traumatic accidents in traffic police officers of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Semi structured interviews were used as a tool for gathering data. Interviews of seven traffic police officers were analyzed by using reflexive thematic analysis. The four main themes it captured included i) perceived less straining law enforcement, ii) impact of traumatic accidents, iii) training deficiencies leading to trauma, and iv) coping mechanisms towards cumulative trauma. Findings indicate that exposure to traumatic accidents causes innumerable physical, mental, and financial trials to traffic police officers, coupled with excessive diurnal occupational challenges, a lack of training, and coping mechanisms available professionally to deal with the trauma aftermath. The accumulation of trauma ultimately leads to compromised professional law enforcement abilities which calls for trauma-targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of traumatic experience.