Gregory P. Kratzig

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) frequently encounter potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) which include direct (e.g., happened to me) or indirect (e.g., part of my job) exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, and subsequently demonstrate an increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs). Although PTSIs include mental health disorders, physical impairments such as the development of chronic pain and cardiovascular conditions are also implicated. The current study was designed to assess for changes in cardiac function among RCMP within their first 3 years of field service. Participants ( n = 96) were mostly male (71.6%), men (71.6%), White (85.6%), with a mean age of 30.22 ± 6.22 years. The current results evidenced deteriorations in cardiac function; diastolic cardiac function began to deteriorate as early as the second year of field service, with changes in systolic function occurring concurrently, or within the following year, suggesting that deteriorating cardiac function may constitute a PTSI. Incorporating best-practice cardiac rehabilitation exercise prescription guidelines tailored to the maintenance or improvement of diastolic function into existing occupational health and wellness programs may support a mechanistic role in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiac events among RCMP officers and other high-risk occupational populations.

Police recruit training signifies a major shift in social roles that may change personality. While personality measurement is often used for police recruitment and selection processes, less is known about changes in personality following police recruit training. The current study examines changes in personality profiles of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cadets after completing the RCMP Cadet Training Program and compares to the general population. Participants were RCMP cadets (n = 449) from the larger RCMP Longitudinal PTSD Study who completed the RCMP Cadet Training Program and self-reported personality using the HEXACO-100 personality inventory at pre-training and pre-deployment. The current results indicated small, but statistically significant, differences on several HEXACO personality factors and facets among RCMP cadets completing the RCMP Cadet Training Program when compared to pre-training measures. However, despite small changes in personality, RCMP cadets completing training retained personality profiles different from the general population. The current results appear to contradict suggestions that the RCMP Cadet Training Program negatively impacts cadets’ personality and suggests instead that cadets completing the training display personalities suitable for contemporary policing. The current results provide insights into the impact police training may have on cadet personalities and personality development associated with life events.

Background: Public safety personnel (PSP) experience occupational stressors and potentially psychologically traumatic events, which increase the odds of screening positive for mental health disorders, and the risk of suicide. This study estimates suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among Canadian PSP, and assesses associations with Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST).Method: The current study uses a longitudinal prospective sequential experimental cohort design that engages participants for approximately 16 months. Participants (n = 186, 60.5% men) were administered the structured Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview at three time points relative to the ERST: pre‐training, post‐training, and 1‐year follow‐up.Results: At pre‐training, PSP reported past‐month suicidal ideation (n = 24; 12.9%), planning (n = 7; 3.8%), and no attempts. At post‐training, PSP reported past‐month suicidal ideation (n = 12; 10.1%), suicidal planning (n < 5), and no attempts (n = 0). At the 1‐year follow‐up, PSP reported past‐month suicidal ideation (n = 7; 12.5%), and no planning (n = 0) or attempts (n = 0).Conclusions: The results indicate suicide‐related challenges for PSP, particularly PSP who self‐identify as women and females. The results suggest sector‐specific differences in suicide attempts, indicating unique sector‐specific challenges among PSP. The results evidenced reductions in suicidal ideation and planning directly after ERST; however, attrition impacted analyses at 1‐year follow‐up. Additional sector‐specific mixed‐methods research would help inform suicide mitigation strategies.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05530642. Hypotheses Registration: aspredicted.org, #90136. Registered 7 March 2022—Prospectively registered