Police Peacekeeping: Health Risks and Challenges in a Post-Conflict Environment

This study addressed the issue of negative outcomes experienced by police peacekeepers following work in a post-conflict environment. Responses from nearly 600 active and retired police officers who had participated in at least one peacekeeping mission, were analysed to determine baseline data on a range of work, interpersonal, and family issues experienced by police peacekeepers. The data from the present survey were also compared with previous sick-leave data collected as part of a work attendance management project. The results suggest that police peacekeepers have relatively few negative outcomes following the mission, that the level of extended sick leave is lower for peacekeepers than for personnel who have not been on a peacekeeping mission, and that the average number of sick days taken by peacekeepers does not change significantly following a peacekeeping mission. While alcohol consumption increases for peacekeepers during the mission, it returns to normal rates for most individuals following repatriation. The study concludes that participating in a peacekeeping mission does not pose an inordinate risk for police officers, and is a positive experience for many. In general, the screening and selection process appears to be working very well.