Police careers are divided into significant phases according to the development of stress at various periods of their careers. These stages include the initial phase, which involves academy training; the middle phase, which deals with the years of working various assignments and promotions; and the final stage, which examines the time immediately preceding retirement and the subsequent return to civilian life. This dissertation also addresses unique stressors for specific populations, such as minorities, women, or officers working undercover assignments. The strategies for stress reduction are divided according to the severity of stressors and officers' ability to cope with the stressors they encounter. Effective self-help strategies for stress prevention and methods of dealing with unavoidable stressors are offered. The need for professional counseling is examined, along with the use of supervisors in this process. Specific strategies for working with the police population include maintaining a good support system, exercise, recreation, diet, nutrition, relaxation, biofeedback, visualization, massage, and body work. Individual and group therapy as well as process groups are addressed as strategies for stress reduction. Recommendations are offered for therapists working with police officers and for future research. 182 references and a 24-item recommended reading list