Following a review of the literature on human development, the paper introduces the concept of developmental tasks and then explores occupational development with attention to how the police occupation influences personality as an individual moves from trainee to veteran officer. The developmental process in the life cycle of the family is explained. In this context, the police occupation often upsets the balance of life because the officer is removed from the mainstream of American life by the uniform, the work hours, and the job itself. Marital strains that result are explored, especially ones that develop during the early years of the relationship. The article emphasizes improving the process by which conflict is resolved in the dysfunctional police family. The author argues that the police job should not take precedence over family, but has its place in the total developmental scheme which balances personal, occupational, and familial development.