THE AFTERMATH OF ROAD ACCIDENTS. CHAPTER 9: AT THE SCENE - ROAD ACCIDENTS AND THE POLICE

This chapter provides the initial perspective on the legal context of death and injury in road accidents. It describes the impact on police officers of their work with road accidents and with bereaved relatives and survivors. Its first part is based on research into the response of road traffic officers to trauma on the roads. It links the consideration of the psychological impact of accidents on survivors with consideration of the impact on the police and other emergency services. Research into the everyday trauma of police work is largely descriptive and it is documented as subjective reports. Like much research into occupational trauma, it lacks rigour, partly due to the nature of its subject and the ethical difficulties of finding out the effects of trauma. Although individual perceptions of traumatic reactions may not be remembered accurately, they can provide useful insight into the impact of traumatic experiences on police officers. The variability of such impacts is related to individual differences and coping strategies. The chapter's second part presents data from interviews with regular patrol officers, which emphasises their often dissonant roles at an accident: (1) the need to control people at the scene and collect information; and (2) the need to provide structure, support, and comfort to those present. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 893642.